Xavi Cardelús Completes Yamaha R-9 Preseason Testing at Almería for 2026 Supersport

Andorran rider Xavi Cardelús wrapped up two days of preseason testing on the Yamaha R-9 at the Almería circuit, marking the initial preparation phase for the 2026 Supersport World Championship, which kicks off in Australia on the weekend of February 22.

Cardelús, riding with Raúl Jara and the Cerba Yamaha Racing Team, focused the sessions on deepening familiarity with the new bike. The work centered on two key areas: honing the setup to establish a baseline configuration and helping the Andorran rider adjust to the model's handling demands ahead of his second full season as a permanent World Championship entrant.

During the second and final day, the team built on the previous session's progress by testing various adjustments—discarding some while incorporating others—as Cardelús logged more track time. "We followed the first day's work line, trying things out, dropping a few, and racking up kilometers," the rider said, expressing a positive view of the efforts.

Cardelús, who hails from Andorra, voiced satisfaction with the outcome and is now bound for Jerez, a circuit on the championship calendar. "We'll see what the weather does, but it will definitely be an interesting test," he added.

Raúl Jara, owner of Cerba Yamaha Racing Team, offered an upbeat evaluation. He noted Cardelús's steady adaptation to the bike and the team's better understanding of how to unlock its potential. "We're leaving Almería pleased with the job done," Jara said. "Plenty of work remains, but we're making good headway."

The tests represent an early milestone in the buildup to the season, with the squad prioritizing consistent refinement before the races begin.