Artigas wins Jerez Race 1 as Salvador finishes 22nd
The title fight heads to a final-race showdown after a collision at Turn 13 left Salvador without a score.
Xavi Artigas (MTM Kawasaki) won the 11-lap WorldSPB Race 1 at the Circuito de Jerez - Angel Nieto on 17 October 2026, crossing the line 0.096 seconds ahead of Ferre Fleerackers (Track & Trades Wixx Racing). Alvaro Fuertes (Deza-Box 77 Racing Team) completed the podium.
Title contender David Salvador (Team ProDina Kawasaki XCI) finished 22nd after colliding with Carter Thompson at Turn 13. Artigas holds a 13-point lead over Salvador heading into Race 2, with the championship to be decided in the final race.
Artigas takes control in a changing lead group
Artigas moved from third on the grid to the lead in the opening sector. Salvador took the front at Turn 1 on Lap 2, and the lead changed hands repeatedly among a group of five riders.
On Lap 6, Artigas moved from fourth to first at Turn 6. Salvador reclaimed the lead a lap later, but Artigas passed him at Turn 13 on Lap 8. Salvador and Thompson then made contact at the same corner on Lap 9. Salvador rejoined and finished 22nd.
Fleerackers and Fuertes reach the podium
Fleerackers held on for second, his second consecutive rostrum finish. Fuertes took third for a maiden WorldSPB podium on home soil.
Pepe Osuna, Fuertes’ Deza-Box 77 Racing Team teammate, finished fourth. Torres was fifth, a result that secured the Teams’ Championship for Prodina Kawasaki.
Thompson sixth after Long Lap Penalty
Thompson finished sixth after serving his Long Lap Penalty on the final lap. Harrison Dessoy was seventh, Gonzalo Sanchez eighth and Taiyo Aksu ninth, with Aksu recording his best result of the season. Elia Bartolini completed the top ten.
Three riders miss the start
Jeffrey Buis, Julian Correa and Fenton Seabright crashed at Turn 1 on the warm-up lap and were unable to start the race.
Newsroom
WorldSBK reported Artigas’ Jerez Race 1 victory and the championship situation ahead of Race 2.
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Sources
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WorldSBK
Official source · 17/10/2026 12:00
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