The 2020 BSB British Superbike The season has now been over for around two weeks, but the news on the driver market was not long in coming. Today began with news, affirmations, and a welcome return. At the end of a season of little satisfaction in World Superbike with Puccetti Racing Kawasaki, Xavi Fores will return to racing in the newly formed FHO Racing BMW Team via the English channel. The Spaniard will team up with multiple TT winner Peter Hickman.
The team of the well-known Macau entrepreneur Faye Ho, Already present in previous years to support drivers and teams in BSB and the Macau Grand Prix (as well as the companion of race director Stuart Higgs), actually emerged from the ashes of Global Robots Smiths Racing. For the FHO Racing Team it will be an ambitious project with two redeeming drivers and great interest in the track debut of the brand new BMW M1000RR. In addition to Fores and Hickman, youngster Alex Olsen will be competing in the British SuperStock 1000 with exactly the same bike.
For Xavi Fores, this is the second adventure in British superbike after the one experienced with Honda Racing UK in 2019when he took four podiums and one pole position at Donington ‘National’ and Knockhill and narrowly missed the showdown. It had a disappointing end after a weekend at Oulton Park that made it difficult to get used to the bike and the championship. Now, with an extra year of experience behind him, 35-year-old Llombai’s goal is to fight for the top spots.
“I enjoyed my time in BSB, but maybe not so much in WSB last season – said Forés – so returning with such a top-class team is a chance for me to sort out some unfinished business in the championship! The level of competition, machines and support from the fans in the UK is incredible and I have to say, I was very surprised at the beginning. When I drove here in 2019 I had never seen these tracks and many were very difficult to beat against experienced regular drivers, but noI am confident that with a year of experience and better preparation, we can do a lot better. I have regular contact with Faye, she is very motivated and the project is very strong to give us the tools to fight on the front lines. “
Becomes the best independent driver of the 2019 World Championship Peter Hickman as a teammate, looking for further impulses after a very complicated year. After entering into a four-season partnership with Smiths Racing, “Hicky” will start again in a new outfit in the hope of being competitive again in the BSB and (continuing) to win the main street race on the calendar as only he knows how.
“This is an exciting time for me, the team and I think racing in general – said Hickman – as we have a passionate new team owner in Faye. I have known Faye for a number of years as a generous supporter of racing in Macau and above all she wants to win! I had four great years with the Smiths Racing Team, we grew together as a group, we were successful in BSB and on the streets, well Now I think we can build on that and take it to a new level. After such a bad year worldwide, it is so positive to have a new team and a new sponsor in the arena. “
Besides looking at the title, both men will prove vital to the development of the M1000RR, BMW is forging big plans with the new bike with a view to 2021. There will also be more big news coming soon regarding Rich Energy OMG Racing and especially Synetiq TAS.