The most successful team in World Supersport 300 history will step up to the new World Sportbike Championship in 2026, competing with the support of Kawasaki Motors Europe and the new Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R 636.
Loris Veneman will continue with the team and will be joined by former Moto2 and Moto3 rider Xavi Artigas.
A new chapter begins for MTM Kawasaki, as the team run by Ludo Van der Veken is pleased to announce its entry into the new WorldSBK category, within the World Sportbike Championship, continuing the long-standing relationship with Kawasaki, who will debut its new Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R 636 in the class.
One of the two Kawasaki ZX-6R 636 machines fielded by the Belgian squad will be ridden by Loris Veneman, who will start his third full season with MTM after returning midway through 2025 to complete the Supersport 300 World Championship. Loris, who turned 19 a few months ago, will debut in Sportbike with a strong career so far, including runner-up in the 2024 WorldSSP300 Championship and experience in Supersport, with the clear goal of fighting at the front.
Alongside Loris Veneman will be 22-year-old Spaniard Xavi Artigas, an internationally experienced rider with three seasons in Moto3, highlighted by one victory and three podium finishes, and one season in Moto2. His profile and experience make him a valuable choice for MTM and Kawasaki in this first year of the new category.
Artigas, who has already worked with MTM this season as a rider coach and data analyst, comes into Sportbike with one year of experience racing the Kawasaki ZX-6R 636 in Supersport configuration in the Italian Championship, which he finished in second place overall. Considering his background and talent, he is the perfect rider to aim for top positions and support the development of the bike in Sportbike specification.
MTM Kawasaki therefore sets its ambitions high, with a strong rider line-up, the expertise of Ludo Van der Veken’s staff, and the support of Kawasaki Motors Europe, with the clear goal of competing for the inaugural World Sportbike Championship title.
Ludo Van der Veken:
“I am very happy to announce our participation in the World Sportbike Championship and to do so with the support of Kawasaki Motors Europe and two high-level riders. With Loris we will start our fourth season together, we have a relationship based on mutual trust and we were glad to support him last year during a complicated moment in his career. We trust him and we are convinced he has the potential to succeed. Xavi needs no introduction, he is an international level rider who unfortunately has not yet had the chance to fully show his talent. He knows the Kawasaki 636, its strengths and the areas where we need to improve, and he is the perfect rider to lead the development together our teams staffs and the Kawasaki engineers. We have worked together this year and, thanks to his knowledge of the bike and his proven ability, this idea came up and we were able to make it happen. I am extremely satisfied and confident, and I want to thank all our partners and sponsors.”
Xavi Artigas:
“I am pleased to start this journey with Kawasaki Motors Europe and MTM Kawasaki in the World Sportbike Championship. I see a strong project and I feel part of it, which is why I want to thank both Ludo Van der Veken and Steve Guttridge. I know the Kawasaki ZX-6R 636 from the Italian Championship and I’m sure we can make it competitive for Sportbike. We are already working closely with Paolo Marchetti and Kawasaki and I have full confidence in their approach and job. The goal is clear. I already felt good with the team this year working together, and I can’t wait to get back on the bike. Thank you to MTM and Kawasaki for the trust.”
Loris Veneman:
“I am very happy to announce that I will make my Sportbike debut with MTM Kawasaki. After years together, I feel at home, and that is essential to achieve good results. I trust the project, the bike and Kawasaki and adapting quickly to the ZX-6R 636 will be essential for me. I am looking forward to working with Xavi as a teammate, and I believe we can achieve great results together. Thanks to Ludo, Kawasaki Motors Europe and all my personal sponsors and partners. See you soon on track.”
Steve Guttridge, KME Race Planning Manager:
“The WSSP300 Championship has been a happy hunting ground for Kawasaki teams and riders across its history, including the MTM Kawasaki team that we work so closely with. The passion and professionalism they bring to the paddock is a great indication of the seriousness that they apply on track. We wish them, and other Kawasaki competitors, the very best for the inaugural season of the Sportbike category in 2026. Ludo has created an enviable rider line up and the recipe for success is apparent for all to see. Happy hunting MTM Kawasaki!”
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