Xavi Vierge is a Spanish WorldSBK rider, who joined team HRC in 2022 after years spent in Moto2. When talking to Julia Trusewicz in Misano, he described does it feel to be in World Superbikes, how is HRC’s pace improving, which tracks he likes and what are his goals in the future.
Not too long ago you scored your first WorldSBK podium - do you feel like you can do it again soon or even get a higher position than third in upcoming rounds or you don’t feel as comfortable as in Mandalika?
Of course, this is the target - to fight for podium positions as soon as possible. We are not so far from that. This weekend, here in Misano, we have a good opportunity to do so. This is a track that fits our bike quite good. Last year we are really close, so of course this is one of our targets and we’ll try to be there as soon as possible.
It's already your second season in WorldSBK, so how do you feel riding in this championship? How different does it feel after this year comparing to Moto2, MotoGP in general?
It's a different atmosphere. I’ve really liked it since day one. I feel like, and it's difficult to explain, but it's like you can be a little bit more relaxed in the paddock area - like the people are more friendly, you can focus more on yourself. Of course, we have a lot of events and in the paddock area we are really close to the people coming to support us, but in the morning, we have the time to be focused on ourselves, and then in the afternoon we start to take care of all these things. I really like it and, of course, every rider wants to fight for podiums and wins and we are not there yet, but we are working on it, and I enjoy the paddock more.
It's a little different - you have fans walking around when in MotoGP the paddock is more closed off from people coming to the track.
It's really nice for us, but also for the people who come to support us to be that close - it's like a present for everyone, but like I told you, we separate a lot of the things for the morning and afternoon. On Saturday or Sunday, we have a good schedule, because we can focus on the practice or on races, and then we are finished, we start the other part of our job that is to be as close as possible to the fans, which is also important.
You said that Misano may be good, you also seemed really pleased with the testing that took place like three weeks ago. Will you use any of the elements that you tested here this weekend?
Yes, we will use the new swingarm, the one that we didn't in the last time, which I like so we will start with that, and we’ll see if this helps us to be closer to the rivals.
The weather is very different also, because now it's hotter and there's not supposed to be much rain – opposite to testing.
Yes, this is true. Two weeks ago, when we had been here the temperatures were like half of today ones and it was raining so much on the second day, that we couldn’t ride many laps – but last year the track temperature was super hot, so similar to this year’s, and our feeling was good, so I think we are ready to enjoy that weekend.
I was just about to ask about that, because but these circumstances are like last year ones and you had a good weekend in Misano then, so maybe this is the opportunity to make this podium if you can.*
Yes, of course. Last year in the Superpole race we finished not far from Rea in the third position and also not far away from first and we improved compering to this year, but so did everybody else. We can see that every year the level of that championship is getting higher and higher, so we will have to give our best and of course it's one of the targets try to be in the top five from the beginning of the weekend - if you are in that spots there is a big chance you can fight for a podium.
I’ve mentioned already that this is another year in World Superbikes for you, but have you ever thought about the future? Are you just focused on being in World Superbikes right now or have you thought about GP again?
I'm happy here. We started a new chapter last year and I feel like it's not finished yet. I want to fight for podiums, wins, and titles which is not possible now, so I'm super focused on the present and trying to find the speed to fight for results - then we will see about the future. I am focused on today, on making best results and enjoying myself. There are people next to me that are looking for what’s the best for my future.
Besides Misano, which track on the calendar may fit Honda in your opinion?
Aragon was a quite good track for us last year. Most and Donington Park could also be good, I think, but last year I was injured during these two races so I cannot say with certainty. I think the best one for us after Misano may be Aragon, that is my home round as well. Last year I enjoyed the track a lot. Finishing the season, of course Argentina last year was a really good weekend for us.
I want to ask for your opinion about another track on the calendar, which is Imola that you’re coming to for the first time. Are you excited?**
Yes, it’s always exciting to discover a new track, so I'm really looking forward to going there. It’s a shame that some weeks ago F1 was about to race there, and this disaster happened. I hope we can enjoy that track soon and discover a new layout.
I just want to ask about Barcelona now, so going back to a few weeks ago so, were you completely satisfied with the performance there? I feel that you were quite pleased with your results in those races.
It was a difficult weekend for us because we had been testing there before the race, but the temperatures had been much lower and our feelings during the testing has been really good we had a pace - then during the race weekend, the track temperature was higher, and we couldn’t find the good feeling. Anyway, it was a solid weekend, I finished the race two in P6 which is not that bad, but when you’re a rider and you’re not fighting for podiums or wins, you are never satisfied.
You were at Suzuka last year during the famous 8-hour-race, but not as a rider and a team member instead. Would you like to, after seeing this, to try and compete in this event?***
Yes, of course. Last year the plan was to compete and be in the team with Tatsuta Nagashima and Iker Lecuona, but I was unlucky, I injured myself and I couldn’t go for the second test - the official rider needs to make it the second test, I was not there, so I couldn’t race. Of course, the goal to race this year and enjoy this amazing event.
* In Misano, Vierge was 10th, 8th and 5th.
**In Imola, Vierge was 12th, 19th and 14th.
***Xavi Vierge in the end took part in 2023’s Suzuka 8H alongside Tatsuta Nagashima and Takumi Takahashi (Iker Lecuona was injured in Misano and in the end couldn’t make it to the second, obligatory test) and scored a victory.
