Isaac Vinales to remain in WorldSBK with Motoxracing Yamaha

Following his debut WorldSBK season with Orelac Racing VerdNatura Kawasaki, Isaac Vinales will remain in the premier class but this time aboard Yamaha machinery. 

Vinales, who lost his 2022 seat at Orelac Racing to Czech rider Oliver Konig, has joined Motoxracing who are making their debut in WorldSBK. 

Motoxracing have competed in both WorldSSP and WorldSSP300, with their last appearance in the intermediate class coming at round ten of the 2021 season when Federico Caricasulo clinched a podium in race two at Portimao.

The addition of Motoxracing to the WorldSBK grid takes the number of teams to 16, while it means 24 riders will be competing full-time. 

While neither Vinales or the team have yet announced the news, WorldSBK released the official entry list including both the rider and team - expect an announcement from the team very soon. 

The only seat yet to be announced despite confirming their participation is Pedercini Kawasaki, who were thought to be running a two-rider team.

However, it seems as though the team will have just one rider in 2022 which makes Loris Cresson staying with the team less likely. 

Both Tom Sykes and Leon Haslam have been in discussions with the team, and with all due respect to Cresson, signing one of Sykes or Haslam would be a considerable improvement from the Belgian who scored just three points last season.  

Testing for the 2022 WorldSBK season gets underway today as Kawasaki and Team HRC have a two-day outing scheduled in Jerez. Six-time WorldSBK champion Jonathan Rea, Alex Lowes, Lucas Mahais, Iker Lecuona and Xavi Vierge will all be in action.