Xavi Forés joins Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati New York 2023

The Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati New York announced that Xavi Forés will pilot the Panigale V2 in MotoAmerica Supersport Championship as Josh Herrin steps up to the MotoAmerica Medallia Superbike Championship onboard the 2023 Ducati Panigale V4 R.

Xavi Forés and Josh Herrin will compete in the 2023 MotoAmerica Championship for Ducati North America’s Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati New York team. Josh Herrin, the reigning MotoAmerica Supersport champion, and the team welcome Xavi Forés who will make his U.S. racing debut aboard the Panigale V2 in the MotoAmerica Supersport Championship.

A Daytona 200 winner, 2013 MotoAmerica Superbike champion, and 2016 MotoAmerica Superstock champion, Josh Herrin dominated the MotoAmerica Supersport Championship in 2022 on the Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati New York Panigale V2, earning 9 race victories and 16 total podiums. His championship season gave Ducati its first MotoAmerica Supersport title. Ducati likes to reward its riders for their effort and hard work so Herrin’s promotion comes as no surprise.

Likewise, Xavi Forés brings a wealth of racing knowledge and experience to the MotoAmerica paddock. The 37-year-old Spaniard had a busy 2022, competing in several championships including the FIM Enel MotoE World Championship for Pramac Racing. He also competed in the Endurance World Championship (EWC) for Team ERC Endurance Ducati, and in the final three rounds of the WorldSBK Championship with Barni Spark Racing team aboard a Panigale V4 R superbike.

If the history of Ducati pilots proves correct, Forés will adapt to U.S. racing asphalt in no time, at all.

“Competing in MotoAmerica, especially as part of a strong team like Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati New York, has been a goal of mine for some time. At this point in my racing career, I’d like to score wins and podiums in the most competitive domestic championships. I’m also looking forward to continuing my long relationship with Ducati, a union that has given me many happy memories over the years. It will be a big challenge: everything—the tracks and the tires, especially—will be unfamiliar, but I think I’m equal to the task. The Panigale V2 won the title last year with Josh Herrin, so I’m excited to be in the same box with him and see if we can replicate some of his success.” – Xavi Forés, Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati New York.

“I’m excited to return to the MotoAmerica Superbike Championship and be reunited with the team with whom I enjoyed so much success last year. The MotoAmerica Superbike class is really competitive, but I’m confident that my team can deliver a motorcycle capable of winning. I’m really looking forward to swinging a leg over the factory-prepped Panigale V4 R superbike and wearing Ducati red for another year.” -Josh Herrin, Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati New York – Ducati #2.

“Once again, Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati New York is proud to partner with Ducati Corse and Ducati North America to contest the 2023 MotoAmerica Mediallia Superbike and Supersport championships. We’re excited to have Josh Herrin back for another year and to welcome Xavi Forés to the team. After Josh’s incredible success in Supersport in 2022, we’re looking forward to seeing what he can do on the new Panigale V4 R superbike. We’re sure he’ll put on another show for us all this year! We’re also excited to welcome Xavi to the team. Xavi has been a fixture in world championship racing for many years and he’s ridden for some of the top teams. His desire to race here shows that the quality of competition in MotoAmerica hasn’t gone unnoticed. That also means we’ll have our work cut out, but we wouldn’t have it any other way.” – Bobby Shek, Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati New York Team Principal.

“We welcome the world-class rider Xavi Forés to the Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati New York team,“ said Chinnock. “Xavi’s experience will help him quickly adapt to the U.S. tracks and tires and we are confident that he will continue the momentum that Josh championed last season. Josh earned his seat for this year’s Superbike program after debuting the dominance of the Panigale V2 in MotoAmerica’s Supersport Championship. We are elated to have him aboard the 2023 Panigale V4 R challenging the most competitive field in U.S. national road racing and putting on a show for our Ducatisti and road racing fans alike,” said Chinnock. “We thank Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati New York and our colleagues at Ducati Corse as we anticipate another thrilling season.” – Jason Chinnock, CEO, Ducati North America.

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