After four years with Honda, Xavi Vierge will ride for the Pata Maxus Yamaha WorldSBK Team next season.
Yamaha Motor Europe have announced Xavi Vierge as the second rider for the Pata Maxus Yamaha WorldSBK Team for the 2026 season.
The Spaniard will leave Honda at the end of the 2025 season, after four years with the Japanese manufacturer. Vierge will switch from the CBR1000RR-R to the Yamaha R1 at the end of the season at the Jerez Test after the conclusion of the current season.
Vierge arrives at Yamaha with a wealth of experience in the Moto2 World Championship and in World Superbikes, and has been a podium finisher in both categories.
"We are pleased to have reached an agreement with Xavi Vierge that will see him join the Pata Maxus Yamaha WorldSBK Official Team for 2026," said Yamaha Motor Europe Road Racing Sporting Manager, Nicolo Canepa.
"He brings a lot of experience to our project, both from within Superbike and his time in Grand Prix racing. We are excited to see what he can achieve and look forward to starting our journey together.
"Through the winter, we will continue to work hard on developing the R1 and with Vierge joining Locatelli at Pata Maxus Yamaha and Manzi moving up from Supersport to join Gardner at GYTR GRT Yamaha, we have four young and hungry riders on the bike next year which is an exciting prospect."
Vierge will partner with Andrea Locatelli in the Pata Maxus Yamaha WorldSBK Team, who has signed for the 2026 and 2027 seasons.
While in the GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team, Remy Gardner will remain for a fourth season, and Stefano Manzi will make his World Superbike debut alongside the Australian.
