Xavi Forés will substitute for injured Richie Escalante and join Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR team aboard the Suzuki GSX-R1000R Superbike at Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, Alabama, on May 17-19. Forés will substitute until the MotoAmerica medical team clears Escalante.
Escalante is on the mend after crashing with Loris Baz moments after taking the checkered flag in eighth in the 2024 Superbike season-opening round at Road Atlanta. Despite walking away from the fall under his own power, he was later diagnosed with a left wrist fracture and a left ankle fracture, plus compression fractures of his L1, L2, and L4 vertebrae.
Spaniard Xavi Forés is well-suited to step into the role on short notice and Suzuki is taking advatange of the opportunity. Forés is a very experienced road racer, having competed in many top-level series during his two-decade-plus professional career.
Team Hammer saw 38-year-old Xavi Forés dominate the 2023 MotoAmerica Supersport series, winning nine races and 12 podium finishes. Forés and Suzuki make a strong team, and the team is optimistic about their chances in upcoming races.
“I am excited for this opportunity. It’s a shame Richie was injured but I am glad to help. The situation I am in, I have wanted the right opportunity in MotoAmerica Superbike but before this, it hadn’t come up for me yet. Richie and I are friends and he is always telling me the bike is capable of the podium. I know it is a good team supported by Suzuki, so I feel like we have the opportunity to earn good results. Having a great year in America last season and learning the paddock and tracks will help, too.” – Xavi Forés.
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