BSB Oulton: FHO Racing BMW and Xavi Forés part company

FHO Racing BMW and Xavi Forés have mutually parted company ahead of the opening round of the 2021 Bennetts British Superbike Showdown at Oulton Park.

Forés has been competing in BSB and in the FIM Endurance World Championship (EWC) for BMW this season, and the decision was taken ahead of the Bol D’or meeting that the Spanish rider would focus purely on his EWC commitments for the remainder of 2021 due to the compact calendars of both championships.

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Unfortunately, Forés sustained back and shoulder injuries during Bol D’or testing at the Paul Ricard circuit and was ruled out of the event. His misfortune in France is another blow in what has been a tough 2021 campaign.

Forés’ return to BSB hasn’t gone as smoothly as it was perhaps expected. In his maiden BSB season, in 2019 with Honda Racing UK, the former World Superbike rider finished ninth overall with four podiums.

However, Forés fractured his right scaphoid during free practice for the opening round of the year at Oulton Park. Consequently, he missed that meeting, as well as round two at Knockhill – much to his frustration. Since returning to action, Forés’ recorded a best result of eighth at Donington Park.

“I would like to thank Faye Ho and the whole FHO Racing BMW Team for the opportunity to ride with them this season,” Forés said. “It was a very nice experience and despite a bit of bad luck with some injuries earlier in the year, I always felt at home.

“Now, after my incident at the EWC race weekend, I need to recover and try to be fit for the season finale in Most in a couple of weeks’ time. I want to wish the FHO Racing BMW Team all the best and send them all my support for the Showdown and in the future.”

As things stand, it’s not known whether a replacement rider will be introduced before the end of the 2021 season, with only two round remaining after this weekend. Teammate Peter Hickman will contend this year’s Showdown.