WorldSBK Estoril: Fores ‘always ready’ for return

Xavi Fores’ very late entry onto the WorldSBK grid at Estoril, as a replacement for injured GoEleven rider Philipp Öttl, was straightforward enough as he was already there commentating for Spanish TV.

The old WorldSBK and BSB stager was, however, not planning to ride hence his cousin made a mad all-night dash from Valencia to Estoril, to let Xavi pass scrutineering before taking to the circuit in FP1.

“He was driving all night,” Fores said on Sunday. “He arrived at 06:00 in the morning. 07:00 we were here to do some checks. 09:00 I was at the track. It was crazy, but I enjoyed a lot!”

In finishing eleventh, ninth and tenth, he demonstrated that he is still a strong rider, especially when you consider he had not ridden this WorldSBK bike before, and had almost no practice - just FP3 then go.

“It was my very first time on the V4 Superbike spec,” Fores confirmed. “I never tried before. Even if I do endurance, it’s not the same bike. I felt quite good on the bike. The first session I did with a full setup of Philipp, to see how the bike was reacting and to know the bike. Then session by session I start to build the bike a little bit more for me.

“On the race one I did a good job. I was not so strong on the start, but my pace was not really bad. So, I was coming from the back and finishing in the top ten on both races. It was nice and unexpected a little bit, to be honest.”

Öttl will have an operation on his collarbone to try and ride at Misano, but Fores is ready to go again if required.

“It doesn’t depend on me,” he explained. “It depends on if Philipp is ready to race or not. He’s going to do surgery on Tuesday, so hopefully he’s going to be ready for Misano. But in case he’s not ready, I will be available for that.”

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