Xavi Fores keen to follow on from Toprak Razgatlioglu WorldSBK success

WorldSBK returnee Xavi Fores says he is eyeing a podium challenge in each race this season as he prepares to make his comeback on the Puccetti Kawasaki.

The Spaniard competed at the front of the field during his last three-year tenure in WorldSBK, achieving five podiums with the Barni Ducati team in 2018 en route to seventh in the standings.

He switched to the British Superbike Championship in 2019 as part of a factory Honda deal but after missing out on the Title Showdown he will return to the 2020 WorldSBK ranks with Puccetti, which finished as top privateer with Toprak Razgatlioglu.

Stepping on the Kawasaki ZX-10RR that achieved 13 podiums – including two wins – in 2019, Fores is eager to continue that form to be a thorn in the factory riders’ sides.

“2020 will be an important season for me and my team, in which we need to build on the good work of last year. During the Jerez test I was able to see how the ZX-10RR suits my riding style.

“There is still a lot to do of course, but we made a good start and will continue on this path at the Portimao test. My goal is to fight for the podium in every race, not an easy task but I'm sure that if me and the team work hard, we can achieve great results.”

Puccetti will also run the factory Kawasaki effort in WorldSSP with former champion Lucas Mahias and ex-Moto2 rider Philipp Oettl, while the prominent Turkish branding that backed Razgatlioglu in 2019 will transfer to Can Oncu, who will ride a Puccetti-prepared Turkish Racing WorldSSP entry this year.