Xavi Artigas (MTM Kawasaki) claimed a 25-point swing in the FIM Sportbike World Championship after a dramatic Race 1 at the Circuito de Jerez - Angel Nieto, Andalucia. The #34 was victorious by just 0.096s ahead of Ferre Fleerackers (Track & Trades Wixx Racing), while Alvaro Fuertes (Deza-Box 77 Racing Team) claimed a maiden WorldSPB podium on home soil. In the title fight, David Salvador (Team ProDina Kawasaki XCI) finished 22^nd after a late-race collision with Carter Thompson (Team BrCorse).

SALVADOR CRASHES OUT, ARTIGAS WINS

Artigas immediately hauled himself from third on the grid to lead the race through the opening sector, with Salvador running behind his title rival. Salvador hit the front at Turn 1 on Lap 2, although positions kept swapping positions in a lead group of five as Artigas and then Salvador took turns leading the race. On Lap 6, Artigas went from fourth to first at Turn 6 in one sensational move as he looked to take the title fight to the last race of the season. Salvador re-claimed the lead at Turn 6 a lap later, with Artigas slotting into second. At the start of Lap 8, Salvador had a four-tenths advantage over the #34 in second, although that came down over the course of the lap. At Turn 13, Artigas made the move on Salvador to take the lead, which allowed Thompson to come through although the Championship leader responded immediately. On Lap 9, Salvador and Thompson made contact at Turn 13, with the #38 tumbling into he gravel; he was able to re-join the race and finished 22^nd. With Artigas taking his fourth win of the season, he holds a 13-point lead over Salvador heading into Race 2.

MAIDEN PODIUM FOR FUERTES

In the chaos of the Turn 13 incident, Fleerackers moved into the lead group, and he was able to hold on to claim a rostrum finish, making it back-to-back rostrums. Fuertes also put himself in the fight for victory. He held on to P3 at the end of the 11-lap race to finish in third place, ahead of Pepe Osuna (Deza-Box 77 Racing Team) who took fourth; it’s his best WorldSPB result and it means his team celebrated their home round with P3 and P4. Torres finished in fifth and his points were enough to secure Prodina Kawasaki this year’s Teams’ Championship.

THOMPSON P6 AFTER PENALTY, AKSU TAKES SEASON-BEST

Thompson was sixth after he took his Long Lap Penalty on the final lap, coming out of the loop ahead of Harrison Dessoy (PHR Performance Triumph) in seventh. Gonzalo Sanchez (ARCO Yamaha MotoR University Team) claimed eighth on home soil ahead of Taiyo Aksu (PATA AG Motorsport Italia) who rode his Honda into P9; it’s his second points finish of the year and best result. Five of the seven manufacturers competing in 2026 finished in the top ten. Elia Bartolini (CM Triumph Factory Racing) rounded out the top ten.

WARM UP LAP CRASH

There was drama on the Warm Up lap with Jeffrey Buis (Track & Trades Wixx Racing), Julian Correa (Pons Motosport Italika Racing) and Fenton Seabright (PHR Performance Triumph) all crashed at Turn 1. None of the three riders were able to start the race, and the incident will be investigated by the FIM WorldSBK Stewards after the race, with Dutchman Buis deemed responsible and given a double Long Lap Penalty for his next race. Buis and Seabright were taken to the medical centre following the crash. The #6 was declared unfit with a dislocated shoulder, while Seabright was declared fit. Bruno Ieraci (CM Triumph Factory Racing) retired from the race when he brought his bike into the pits in the early stages.

RETIREMENTS FROM RACE 1

Hugo de Cancellis (Kove Racing Team 109) retired from the race after just a couple of laps, while, on Lap 6, Luca Agostinelli (MMR) crashed out at Turn 1. Mattia Martella (Miguel Oliveira (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) was also a retirement from Race 1. Matteo Vannucci (Revo-M2) crashed at Turn 10 on Lap 7 when running in the top ten, while Alessandro Di Persio (ARCO Yamaha MotoR University Team) retired halfway through the race. The Italian was taken to the medical centre following the crash and was declared fit. Gabin Cazard (Yamaha MS Racing FIMLA AD78) crashed at Turn 5 and retired from the race.

The top six from WorldSPB Race 1, full results here:

1. Xavi Artigas (MTM Kawasaki)
2. Ferre Fleerackers (Track & Trades Wixx Racing) +0.096s
3. Alvaro Fuertes (Deza-Box 77 Racing Team) +0.128s
4. Pepe Osuna (Deza-Box 77 Racing Team) +0.222s
5. Antonio Torres (Team ProDina Kawasaki XCI) +0.585s
6. Carter Thompson (Team BrCorse) +3.773s
   Fastest Lap – Alvaro Fuertes (Kawasaki) – 1’46.973s

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