Xavi Vierge claimed Honda’s first top-10 finish of the 2025 World🦩SBK season in Race 1 atꦿ Portimao, a circuit which he acknowledges is “a special track”.

The Spanish rider was Honda’s only full-time rider present at the 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:World Superbike season opener in Australia back in February, and could only manage a trio of 11th🎐-place finishes at Phillip Island.

The return to Europe, then, has been positive for Viꦅerge, who was expecting to bဣegin the 2025 season as he ended 2024: fighting for the top-five positions.

“Last season from mid-season to the end we were quite consistent in these positions a🦩nd we were expecting to start this year like that,” Vierge told WorldSBK.com after finishing fifth in Race 1 at this weekend’s Portuguese Round.

“But in Australia it wasꦍ a little bit special – as always.

“So, now we come back to Europe,💮 it’s true that Portimao is a special🅷 track where the rider can make a little bit more the difference, but I hope that we can continue like this; the team is working so hard and in the right direction.

“Of course, we want more, we are improving but not as fa🃏st as we need. But I th꧋ink the way we are following is the correct one and I hope we can continue making these steps to keep closing the gap with the fast guys.”

Vierge added that 𝓀the pre-event test in Portimao two weeks ago was important for Honda to redisco🤪ver the right direction after the difficult race in Australia.

“Luc🍌kily, aft⛦er Australia we had a test here in Portimao, and again we feel quite strong,” he said.

“We worked so much on the electronics side to try to minimise our weakest points. Finally we can make a solid race, the first thing I think𝔉 was the🅠 qualifying, make a great qualifying – it helps a lot to make a good race. So, happy with this Saturday.”