Ruben Xaus and Bimota Target WSBK Entry in 2013

Italian manufacturer Bimota is looking to return to racing, with plans to compete in the 2013 World Superbike Championship as either a wild card or full time entry.

Helming Bimota’s racing project is its sporting director and former WSBK racer Ruben Xaus. Speaking with Italian website Motoblog.it at the Motor Bike Expo in Verona, Italy, Xaus says the team would like to race full time in 2013 but may start as a wild card before fielding a full entry in 2014.

“We are developing a bike for 2013, when they should change the rules which should lean towards more stock specs,” says Xaus.

Bimota has a history in WSBK, winning a couple of races. Bimota last competed in the series in 2000, with Anthony Gobert winning a wet race at Phillip Island.. This year, Bimota will be competing in the Italian Moto2 championship, and may also enter the Moto2 Grand Prix World Championship.

The sudden teaming of Xaus and Bimota came as a bit of a surprise to many, including Xaus himself. Coming off an injury-filled 2011 WSBK season, Xaus was contemplating whether to continue racing or to retire. A chance meeting brought him together with Bimota, and before long, Xaus was hired.

Initially, Xaus was to be a figurehead, lending his name and image to Bimota marketing and various riding school programs. Xaus’ experience in the business side of things led to a management position as sporting director for Bimota.

“Yes, I am working on the development of the Superbike, but I also help with the Moto2,” says Xaus. “In the end between giving riding classes, customer tests and Bimota, I’m racing around more than when I was a rider, in fact I’m happy because I’m in better shape than last year.”

[Source: Motoblog.it via its English-edition site TwoWheelsBlog]

By Dennis Chung