Yamaha young gun bounces back from controversy to win the final WorldSPB race of the season, while Xavi Artigas sealed the inaugural world title
There was real drama involving Aussie Carter Thompson and championship leader David Salvador at Jerez, as the pair collided in the first race of the weekend. Salvador failed to score, while Thompson was blamed for the incident, although many considered it a 50-50 call.
The outcome proved decisive in the title fight. Salvador’s only championship rival, Xavi Artigas, took victory in Race 1 ahead of Suzuki rider Ferre Fleerackers (Track & Trades Wixx Racing Suzuki) and first-time podium finisher Alvaro Fuertes (Deza-Box 77 Racing Team). After arriving at Jerez with a 12-point deficit, Artigas went into the final race with a 13-point advantage over Salvador.
Thompson’s weekend, however, was one of contrasting experiences. After a strong second in Superpole, he was handed a Long Lap penalty following the Race 1 contact with Salvador. But in the second race, the Australian finally broke clear of the pack and ran off to another amazing victory.
Behind him, Torres finished second and José Osuna (Deza-Box 77 Racing Team) celebrated a first-time podium finish in third. Eighth place was enough for Artigas to seal the title, ending the new class’s inaugural season as champion with 245 points to Salvador’s 237. Thompson’s win secured him third overall in the standings with 193 points.
Reflecting on his weekend, Thompson said: “I knew I had good pace all weekend. I was doing all my lap times alone, like always, just trying to work on myself. It was just the same story as Cremona, more or less. In the group, I struggled, so I tried to get some clear air. I managed to get away clean and put in some good lap times, so it was a good race.
“It’s great to finish third in the championship considering where we were at the start of the year. If you’d told me that’s where we’d finish, I would not have believed it.”
2026 FINAL WORLDSPB STANDINGS
| POS | RIDER | NAT | POINTS |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | X. Artigas | ESP | 245 |
| 2 | D. Salvador | ESP | 237 |
| 3 | C. Thompson | AUS | 193 |
| 4 | A. Torres | ESP | 188 |
| 5 | F. Fleerackers | BEL | 143 |
| 6 | F. Seabright | GBR | 127 |
| 7 | M. Vannucci | ITA | 117 |
| 8 | J. Buis | NED | 112 |
| 9 | A. Fuertes | ESP | 106 |
| 10 | B. Ieraci | ITA | 97 |
| 11 | J. Osuna | ESP | 91 |
| 12 | H. Dessoy | GBR | 90 |
| 13 | L. Veneman | NED | 83 |
| 14 | E. Bartolini | ITA | 67 |
| 15 | M. Gaggi | ITA | 64 |
| 16 | J. Risueno | ESP | 38 |
| 17 | F. Bianchi | ITA | 33 |
| 18 | K. Beekmans | NED | 28 |
| 19 | M. Gennai | ITA | 25 |
| 20 | J. Correa | USA | 23 |
