Good news: Private Yamaha team to remain in the World Superbike Championship in 2027

MotoXracing has been competing in the Superbike World Championship since 2023, but its only single-digit result came from Bradley Ray in his debut year at Imola, where he finished sixth in the second race. Otherwise, even points finishes were rare, and this did not change in the following seasons. However, these modest results cannot be attributed solely to the riders or the team: MotoXracing does not receive the same level of support from Yamaha as the Giansanti Racing Team (Remy Gardner, Stefano Manzi), the Japanese manufacturer’s satellite team. Furthermore, the R1 is no longer the most competitive package, as can be seen from the results of the factory team – which leave much to be desired – with Andrea Locatelli and Xavier Vierge occupying only 12th and 13th places in the World Championship.

It is now clear that, despite the difficult circumstances, MotoXracing will be on the starting grid again in 2027. Team principal Sandro Carusi has ruled out the idea of switching to motor racing or the Italian Superbike Championship (CIV) – at least for the time being.

His rider line-up has also already been finalised: Mattia Rato (21) and Twan Smits (22) have been given another chance. Rato secured three points in his rookie season – two at the Balaton Park Circuit and one at his home race in Cremona. Bearing in mind the technical shortcomings, the youngster has at times put in some astonishing performances. This becomes clear when comparing him with his team-mate Smits, who has been riding for MotoXracing in place of Bahattin Sofuoglu since Cremona. The Dutchman has secured four race wins and six podium finishes this season in the Euro Moto (formerly and in future the IDM), which features a strong field at the front, but has been soundly beaten by Rato in all six of his races to date ahead of this coming weekend’s race at Jerez.

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Topic of the week: MotoGP’s new schedule proved highly controversial

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