BSB: Xavi Forés – “I really appreciate the British fans”

It is without a doubt that Spain produces some of the best motorcycle racers in the world. 

Names like Jorge Lorenzo, Marc Marquez, Sete Gibernau, the current reigning Moto GP champion Joan Mir and the unstoppable new kid on the block in Moto3 Pedro Acosta are just some of the Spanish riders who continue to provide history and excitement to two-wheeled motorsport.

With the departure of Héctor Barberá to the MotoAmerica championship for the 2021 season, this year’s British Superbike competition sees just one Spanish rider in the premier class, and for many he will need no introduction. 

Xavi Forés is a proven international racer, his career including experience in the 125cc, Moto2 and MotoGP series, as well as in World Supersport, where he habitually finished in the top ten. He secured winning success in the Stock Extreme Championship in 2010 and 2013, as well as the European Superstock 1000 Championship in the same year, before going on to dominate the German IDM Superbike Championship in 2014. 

In 2016, Forés transferred to World Superbikes, where he stayed for three full seasons before his debut in the British Superbike competition in 2019. He returned to World Superbikes in 2020, but this season we will see him back in BSB riding the BMW M1000RR with FHO Racing BMW. We begin our interview by discussing the relationship between Spain and world class motorcycle racing:

XF: “Spain has indeed given the sport of motorcycle racing some formidable riders. Coming from a country where the weather is good most of the time and there are some great circuits with a culture of encouraging young talent means that many of our competitors have gone on to the world stage. These were really important factors for me when I was growing up and which helped shape my career.

“In 1999, I began racing and the support for young riders in Spain was incredible then as it is now, including the opportunity to participate in different series and championships. This really brings on the level of ability of our racers, and it is seen in the results we bring to the sport.“

Forés’ own impressive results are indeed apparent to anyone that follows the sport. In 2018, he had a particularly strong performance in World Superbikes, where he consistently led several races, achieved five podiums and was crowned the independent rider’s champion.

Having had only one season (2019) riding in the British domestic championship, we asked him to what extent his previous experience in World Superbikes prepares him for the unique challenges that the BSB calendar brings:

XF: “Naturally, World Superbikes gave me a good experience of competing at a very high level, as the riders there are really fast. The British Superbike series is also a high-level championship, and the competition is so difficult. Racing against guys who are used to riding on their own national tracks is not easy. However, I am confident that 2021 can be an important season for us and I want to build on the experience I gained in my first season in BSB in 2019.“

Looking at his debut in BSB in 2019, Forés achieved an impressive ninth position in the championship standings that year, before returning to the World Superbike championship for one season in 2020.  With a year out of the British paddock, our conversation turns to his goals for the season ahead:

XF: “For me, 2019 was a time of highs and lows, but I really enjoyed the experience, and I was able to achieve four podiums and a pole position in my first year. I did struggle a bit on the tracks I had never seen before like Cadwell Park and Oulton Park, but despite these specific difficulties, I was always nearly in the top seven to eight contenders each racing weekend. It is this performance that I hope to improve on this season.

“FHO Racing BMW is certainly a new team, but it is made up of some very experienced people from the BSB paddock. When I received the call from them to offer me a ride this year, I was incredibly happy and really looking forward to the opportunity. They are very supportive and really want us to get the best from this new BMW bike, which in my opinion suits my riding style very much.”

With pandemic restrictions continuing to ease across the country, we are really looking forward to seeing the BSB calendar fire up at Oulton Park at the end of June here at Motorsport.Radio, together with the prospect of spectators being able to return trackside to watch this incredible sport.

After all, it’s the followers that help to make motorcycle racing what it is. We finish by asking him how he feels he has been received by the British motorcycle racing fans. His reply is unequivocal:

XF: “The BSB championship is very well supported here. When I last rode in BSB in 2019 I could really feel the warmth from the crowd, which for a non-UK rider is something special and makes me feel proud. As racers, we love to have fans that want us to do well, and I never expected on my arrival here in 2019 to have received such a welcome. I am so appreciative to all of them.“

Having achieved a solid 11th position time in the team’s track debut during the first official BSB testing at Silverstone this week, and with a proven racing pedigree, Xavi Forés is a competitor that’s set to excite the British paddock, and the wider BSB community. We wish him, and all at FHO Racing BMW, well for the season ahead.

To follow Xavi Forés on instagram visit: https://www.instagram.com/xavifores/ @xavifores

For more information about the FHO Racing BMW team please visit: https://fhoracing.com/