XaviVierge

Xavi Vierge made the move to WorldSBK for the 2022 campaign and his consistency was one of the key parts of his arsenal, often grabbing top ten results. He has one podium to his name, at Mandalika, and will be hoping his switch from Honda to Yamaha will give him the opportunity to fight for more rostrums.

Yamaha (2026-)

Vierge has a new challenge in 2026 as he jumps on the Yamaha R1, alongside Andrea Locatelli. The #97 replaces the outgoing Jonathan Rea for 2026 following his retirement from full-time racing. He tested the bike at the end of the 2025 campaign, and again in November, and immediately looked on the pace.

Honda (2022-2025)

Vierge formed one part of Honda’s 2022 refresh, alongside Lecuona, and has stayed with the team ever since. A consistent presence on the bike, and in terms of results, his sole podium came in a dramatic Mandalika Race 2 fight. He’s finished tenth in the Championship standings twice, and 11^th in 2024 after Honda’s tricky start, but with the Japanese manufacturer seemingly starting 2025 in a much stronger position, will hope rostrums will come a bit easier in 2025. Unfortunately for Vierge, he ended the year without a podium finish as he secured the honours of top Honda in the standings before departing for Yamaha.

Before WorldSBK

Barcelona-born Vierge was a runner-up in the FIM CEV Moto2™ European Championship before he made his world stage debut in Moto2™ in 2015, coming in halfway through the season. He was a full-time rider in 2016 and, as the season progressed, became a regular top ten contender. That continued in 2017 when he took his maiden podium at the Japanese Grand Prix, before two more followed in 2018. His last Moto2™ podium came at his home race in Barcelona in 2021, before he made the switch to WorldSBK for 2022.