Vierge: ‘Realistic targets’ for 2022 season to be made after Aragon test

Although winning is the goal for any manufacturer competing at world championship level, especially one with Honda’s pedigree, Xavi Vierge believes more conservative targets need to be set out for his rookie WorldSBK season. 

The former Moto2 rider, who has already completed two tests for Team HRC, will make his official debut during the 2022 season opener in Aragon on April 8-10. 

Before then Vierge has at least another two, maybe three tests that he will compete in alongside fellow rookie team-mate Iker Lecuona. 

While both riders have looked fast during their two outings at Jerez, Honda have only been on-track with Kawasaki, meaning their true pace and potential still needs to be assessed compared to the entire WorldSBK field. 

If we go off last season’s manufacturers’ standings - Honda finished fifth (last) and were 320 points behind third-placed Kawasaki - then there’s significant gains to be made in order for Honda to start challenging the likes of Kawasaki, world champions Yamaha and Ducati on a regular basis, which is why Vierge knows expectations have to be ‘realistic’ despite he and the team desperately wanting to win.   

Vierge told the official World Superbike website: "For Honda, the team and myself, the goal is to win. But I think it’s not correct to start thinking about that just now. I think the correct way, and the way we are thinking, is trying to forget a bit these goals. 

"We focus on each test day, try all the things they have, try to adapt to everything. Take all the information in and then, in the last test at Aragon before the start of the season, we will sit down and speak about the off-season and put a realistic target on the season. 

"For the future, my goal I will say is more or less the same. I think we need to like the present. 

"Now my present is here with Honda, in the factory team and it’s a dream. I want to enjoy that. 

"I want to work as hard as I can and achieve the best results we can. We all know what our goals are, and we will try to fight every day to achieve that."