With 2026 and the maiden FIM Sportbike World Championship season approaching day by day, The Belgium-based MTM Kawasaki Squad have announced their participation in the fledgling Championship. Riding their Kawasaki ZX-6R 636 machines will be Loris Veneman who shined late in the 2025 season after making his return to the WorldSSP300 paddock, and Xavi Artigas, who appeared several times in WorldSSP as a wildcard rider.

Despite being just 19 years old, Veneman has already cobbled together a strong level of experience for himself. A product of the Northern Talent Cup, he raced there for three years until 2022, when he placed fourth in his last season. He then moved to compete in the German Supersport 300 category while competing in WorldSSP300 at the same time over the 2023 and 2024 seasons. Over that period, he landed four wins, seven podiums and three pole positions across the two Championships, sparking a move to start 2025 with a debut in WorldSSP. The Dutchman struggled to find his footing in the Championship, and after three races returned to WorldSSP300, where he fit like a glove. Despite appearing in just eight WorldSSP300 races in 2025, he notched three podiums, a win, and a pole position.

On his new opportunity, Veneman said: “I am very happy to announce that I will make my Sportbike debut with MTM Kawasaki. After years together, I feel at home, and that is essential to achieve good results. I trust the project, the bike and Kawasaki and adapting quickly to the ZX-6R 636 will be essential for me. I am looking forward to working with Xavi as a teammate, and I believe we can achieve great results together. Thanks to Ludo, Kawasaki Motors Europe and all my personal sponsors and partners. See you soon on track.”

Veneman's new teammate, Xavi Artigas may be newer to the paddock, but the Spanish rider has a treasure trove of experience despite his age. He will be aided by at least having made  first contact with the WorldSBK paddock in his four WorldSSP races this season. Outside of the WorldSBK paddock, the 22-year-old – like Veneman – has built a compelling resume for himself. Artigas won the European Talent Cup in 2018, the same year he finished third in the Red Bul Rookies’ Cup. 2019 brought with it his Moto3 debut, while he was at the same time as he was competing in the Moto3 European Championship, where he finished in third place, improving to second place in the subsequent 2020 season. From 2021 to 2023 he raced in Moto3, winning his first race in 2021. After catching the eye of the KLINT Forward Factory team, Artigas made his Moto2 debut in 2024, before departing that paddock to join the Italian Supersport Championship from which he made his WorldSSP wildcard appearances from.

On how he sees his 2026 potential, Artigas said: “I am pleased to start this journey with Kawasaki Europe and MTM Kawasaki in the World Sportbike Championship. I see a strong project and I feel part of it, which is why I want to thank both Ludo Van der Veken and Steve Guttridge. I know the Kawasaki ZX-6R 636 from the Italian Championship and I’m sure we can make it competitive for Sportbike. We are already working closely with Paolo Marchetti and Kawasaki and I have full confidence in their approach and job. The goal is clear. I already felt good with the team this year working together, and I can’t wait to get back on the bike. Thank you to Ludo, Steve and Kawasaki for the trust.”

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