Harris MAXUS is gearing up for a busy 2026 WorldSBK race season as it continues its co-title partnership with Pata Maxus Yamaha. The ongoing collaboration between the leading commercial vehicle brand and Yamaha’s Official Team represents a shared commitment to technology, performance and excellence.
The FIM Superbike World Championship (WorldSBK) sees the world’s top motorcycle manufacturers compete for glory using 1,000cc production-based machines, at renowned global circuits including Donington Park, Jerez and Magny-Cours.
Returning to the grid at the helm of his Yamaha YZF-R1 WorldSBK is established Pata Maxus Yamaha rider and race winner, Andrea Locatelli. The Italian comes into the 2026 season off the back of his first victory and multiple podiums in 2025, after narrowly losing out on the battle for third overall in the WorldSBK Championship at the series’ final round.
Locatelli is joined this year by new signing Xavi Vierge. The experienced Spanish rider has impressed the team with his professionalism and attention to detail, and his initial confidence and speed in November testing was very encouraging, setting the second-fastest overall lap time. With nine WorldSBK Championship campaigns between them, Andrea and Xavi will be pushing hard across the 12 rounds and 36 individual races, with the clear target to put the MAXUS brand on the podium!
Preparations for the new WorldSBK season coincide with the arrival of Steve Hunt as Managing Director for Harris MAXUS UK, who started in the role at the beginning of January.
Speaking of the partnership, Steve said: “It was fantastic that Harris MAXUS played such a public role in the team’s successes last season, and for the MAXUS brand to be so strongly represented at the pinnacle of production-based WorldSBK racing. Pata Maxus Yamaha’s hunger for victory is tightly aligned to our own passion for performance and growth in the commercial vehicle sector and reflective of our ambitious targets for market share this year and beyond. Our ongoing relationship gives Harris MAXUS a fantastic opportunity to engage with existing customers and dealers, while showcasing ourselves to potential clients, too. All at Harris MAXUS wish Andrea, Xavi and the Pata Maxus Yamaha team the best of luck with the season ahead.”
Paul Denning, Team Principal at Pata Maxus Yamaha, said: “It is a pleasure to continue our partnership with Harris MAXUS as co-title partner of the team, and we thank all at the Harris Group for trusting in Yamaha and the WorldSBK platform to promote the MAXUS brand. MAXUS is rapidly growing its profile and market share based on high technology, competitive performance and great durability, aligned with real world affordability. This mirrors the ethos of both Yamaha and the WorldSBK series, reflected by the high levels of interest in superbike racing from commercial vehicle dealerships, fleet users and private customers. As MAXUS continues to grow, we are proud to be on the journey together and will be doing everything we can to deliver results, exposure and value throughout 2026.”
Once again, the MAXUS logo will feature prominently as part of this season’s Yamaha WorldSBK livery, including on the race machines, riders, team apparel and all supporting assets. The team’s progress can be followed on social media at @patamaxusyamaha
Attention now turns to the first test of 2026 in Jerez, ahead of a trip ‘Down Under’ for the season opener in Australia, kicking off on 20 February at Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit.