That, right there, is how you claw your way back from the brink. Xavi Artigas (MTM Kawasaki) is your inaugural FIM Sportbike World Championship winner after a dramatic, nerve-shredding Race 2 at the Circuito de Jerez - Angel Nieto, Andalucia. The #34 brought home an eighth-place finish to seal the deal, defeating David Salvador (Team ProDina Kawasaki XCI) after a season-long war that had looked all but lost earlier in the year.
Let us not forget how messy the opening salvo was. The championship's debut season started in chaotic fashion at Portimao, where Artigas managed fifth and fourth, followed by a lonely rostrum appearance at Assen. Meanwhile, Salvador controlled the standings for most of the campaign. A massive turning point arrived at Aragon, where Artigas snatched second in Race 1 and took his maiden victory in Race 2 while Salvador failed to score, shrinking a 42-point chasm down to a terrifyingly close 17 points.
I’m so happy with Xavi, he has so much experience. It wasn’t easy at the beginning; his style was more of a Supersport rider and he had to change his riding style completely.
Even after Salvador bounced back to stretch his advantage to 35 points following Misano—where Artigas found himself third behind the leader and his teammate, Antonio Torres (Team ProDina Kawasaki XCI)—the #34 simply refused to fold. He chipped away at the deficit in France and Cremona before arriving at Jerez trailing by 12 points. Then came Race 1 in Spain, where a stroke of luck and a victory flipped the script completely, thrusting Artigas into a 13-point lead heading into the Sunday showdown.
During that decisive Race 2, while Thompson and Torres checked out at the front, Artigas and Salvador locked horns in a brutal scrap for third within a massive chasing pack. The pair traded punches side-by-side before Artigas smartly settled into eighth, keeping his head while knowing Salvador needed absolute chaos to turn the tide. “I managed the race, I think, very well to put some gap to first positions as I was safer for the title,” Artigas explained.
The journey to that crown wasn't smooth. As Artigas revealed, the winter and early rounds were an uphill battle with brand-new machinery. Summer testing proved to be the salvation that finally delivered the feeling he craved on the bike. “I feel amazing. It was the main goal for the year,” Artigas said. “I came from some difficult years, and this is super special. I’m a World Champion, not everyone can say that!”
MTM Kawasaki Team Owner Ludo Van der Veken watched his rider completely reinvent his approach from a Supersport style to seize the ultimate prize. “All year, we were learning and working,” Van der Veken said. “I’m so happy with Xavi, he has so much experience. It wasn’t easy at the beginning; his style was more of a Supersport rider and he had to change his riding style completely.” A wild, brilliant machine of a season ends with gold in Spain.
