Artigas Takes Inaugural World Sportbike Crown

Yahoo Sports

Kawasaki riders duel it out in a dramatic season finale Xavi Artigas rode a calculated eighth-place finish in a chaotic Race 2 at Jerez to be crowned the first-ever FIM Sportbike World Champion, closing out the 2026 season eight points clear of David Salvador. The two Spaniards — both riding the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R — were the only riders with a mathematical chance of the championship heading into the Circuito de Jerez-Angel Nieto, setting up a dramatic season finale. [cuttext][/cuttext] Salvado