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After a 2025 campaign of important milestones reached and an emotional goodbye to the greatest to ever take to the track in the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship, Pata Maxus Yamaha were left at a crossroads as the sun set in Jerez and the season came to a close. The team responded in a big way, filling the spot left behind by Jonathan Rea with talented Spanish rider Xavi Vierge (Pata Maxus Yamaha). With the talented duo now comprising their cadre in blue, the official Yamaha team are all smiles as they officially kick off their 2026 season.

Andrea Locatelli (Pata Maxus Yamaha) bagged important results last season, including his career-first win at Assen. The maiden win wasn’t only a personal achievement for him, but for the whole team as the #55 broke a 54-race win drought for the Japanese manufacturer, their last win before him? #54 Toprak Razgatlioglu, who won at Magny-Cours back in 2023. The win proved that Yamaha can fight at the very front, and, having bagged three other podiums last season as well, he and his team will hope to continue bringing Yamaha blue leathers back into fashion.

On his upcoming season, Locatelli said: “I am excited for the new WorldSBK season with Pata Maxus Yamaha for 2026! We know it is not always easy – every year, our competitors work hard, and we have to respond by doing our very best at all races, in all conditions. It’s already been a long time since I started working with Yamaha, and I know the R1 WorldSBK inside and out – its strengths and the areas we are focused on improving to take another step forward. I have a new teammate, Xavi, and we will push each other to maximise and improve the package and try to improve ourselves as well. It will be a long season with many opportunities – the target will be to fight for the victories and aim to be on the podium every weekend. We were close to third in the Championship last year, so the goal can only be the top three. I can’t wait to be in Phillip Island, fighting again during the races – the race weekend is an unbelievable atmosphere and a special feeling that I always enjoy.”

Xavi Vierge is the new face in blue as he brings his four-year chapter with Honda HRC to a close. As Rea was deliberating his retirement, Pata Maxus Yamaha asked his opinion on who he thought might be a good replacement for the legendary #65; and while they are certainly big shoes to fill, Rea gave a vote of confidence to the Spaniard Vierge. There is good reason as well for the Ulsterman to see upside in the #97; while he has only a single podium to his name, the Spaniard has had consistently strong results with Honda. Most recently, in 2025, he landed his career-best finish in the Championship, 7th place, in a season where he missed the points in a full-length race only twice, both due to crashes rather than a lack of pace on the day. He is an exciting prospect to keep a close eye on as he takes on the upcoming season atop a new machine, with which he is already finding his confidence.

On his debut season with Pata Maxus Yamaha, Vierge said: “I’m so pleased to join this project with Yamaha; it is a winning project, of course – the team has achieved amazing results in the past, and they are hungry for more. It is super exciting for me, the first feeling with the Pata Maxus Yamaha team has been very good, and I feel like I am home because the people understand me and know what I need. With the R1 WorldSBK it was like a “first love” and directly I felt very, very comfortable with the bike and it’s clear that my riding style fits well. So, it has been a really positive start. Of course, we have only had some days of testing and need to keep our feet on the ground and keep working. I can learn something about the R1 from my teammate Loka, who has been with this team for 5 years and has achieved great results. Since the first day, I have felt like a kid every time I jump on the R1, discovering where the limit is and enjoying every moment, so I want to keep moving forward and “grow up” with Yamaha and the Crescent team as we start the new season.”

A dramatic season debut in Phillip Island awaits! Punch your ticket to unparalleled access with the WorldSBK VideoPass!