Following Xavi Vierge’s departure: High praise from the Yamaha team boss for the Spaniard

With MotoGP star Jack Miller moving to the World Superbike Championship, there was no longer a place for Xavi Vierge in the Yamaha works team – the Spaniard was the only works rider without a valid contract for 2027. For Pata Maxus team boss Paul Denning, this was a bitter loss – both on and off the track.

“I’d like to thank Xavi for being the most dedicated professional we could have hoped for this year – probably the easiest rider we’ve ever worked with,” said the Englishman, singing the praises of his former rider. “Despite our excitement at Jack Miller’s arrival in the team, it is a real disappointment that we cannot continue working with Xavi. We wish him every success for the future – he knows that the door will always be wide open for him should the opportunity arise to work together again.”

Team principal Niccolo Canepa had already spoken in similar terms about the Catalan rider.

Whilst the 29-year-old has found a home with the Ducati Barni Racing team and is off on a good note, it remains to be seen how things will pan out for Yamaha next year. The 2026 season was the worst since the factory team’s return in 2016, and the R1 is the oldest bike alongside the Kawasaki. Unlike Honda – whose Japanese rival is launching its fourth new homologation model in seven years for 2027 – there are no plans for a new superbike from Iwata.

For Denning, however, the glass is only half empty. “The final race at Jerez rounded off a difficult season for the Pata Maxus Yamaha team – a season, however, with positive signs and enormous motivation that we will carry forward into 2027,” promised the Crescent boss. “I would also like to make it absolutely clear that the commitment of Yamaha and the team to fighting for podium places once again is unwavering at every level. The 2027 season begins with a test that is significant for us, at which Yamaha will be bringing a lot of new equipment. These developments – together with the significantly revised Balance of Performance rules for 2027 – mean that we are starting the new season with renewed commitment and a positive attitude, aiming to achieve significantly better results.”

Whilst Honda and BMW recently completed a two-day test at Jerez, Yamaha will begin preparations for the new season on 26–27 November. However, this will be without Jack Miller, who will be competing in the MotoGP finale in Valencia at that time.