2011 World Superbike
When James Toseland reported his forced retirement from racing last week due to injury, the speculation immediately began on who would replace the Brit.
Things are looking good for Moto2 Champion Toni Elias for a 2012 replacement, but due to the Spaniard currently competing in MotoGP aboard the LCR Honda, he can’t finish out the 2011 World Superbike Championship with the BMW Motorrad Italia team.
On Monday, BMW released who will pilot the BMW S1000RR at the remaining three rounds of the 2011 World Superbike Championship (Imola, Magny-Cours, Portimao) – the Spanish rider Xavi Fores.
Fores, 25, took won the CEV Stock Extreme 1000 Championship last season aboard a BMW S1000 RR, giving him the experience needed to compete on an international level.
BMW says: “Xavi Fores has gained good experience in international competitions. He made his debut with the Minimotos, going on to participate in various categories of the Spanish Speed Championship (CEV). Over the years, he has alternated his participation in CEV competition with several outings in international and world championships.”
Serafino Foti (Sports Director for the BMW Motorrad Italia Superbike team) says: “Xavi is a young rider with a fairly good amount of experience both with 4-stroke motorcycles and with international competitions. He has demonstrated that he can be both fast and consistent. Last year in the CEV Superstock Extreme he won six of the seven races in the championship.
“Considering the short amount of time we have before next weekend’s race in Imola, his experience riding a BMW S 1000 RR is important. As a matter of fact, having already raced with this motorcycle, Xavi is already familiar with many of its characteristics; and it should therefore be relatively easy for him to adapt to our motorcycle.”
Fores first World Superbike outing on the BMW S1000RR will be this weekend at Imola, Italy.
About Xavi Fores:
Fores was born in 1985 and began his competitive sports career in 1992, with the Minimotos. In 1999 he won the single-brand Aprilia competition in the 50 cc category and placed second in the 125 cc category. In 2000 he made his debut in the CEV 125 and placed 15th at the end of the championship.
In 2003 Fores took part in the CEV Supersport, where he placed third the following year. In 2005 he rode a Suzuki in the Supersport World Championship. In 2009 he raced in the FIM Cup Superstock 1000, while last year, aboard a BMW S 1000 RR, he won the CEV Stock Extreme.
