Xaus signs for BMW!

I hope the team are being sponsored by a panel repair shop

Carbon Fibre ain't cheap!

As long as Ruben isnt paying BMW labour prices he is fine

still, at least they will have a rider on board with plenty of experience, loadsa bottle and always gives 110%... Can't dislike a guy like Ruben! Great character to have on the grid!

i remember seeing him ride around the outside of max biaggi at mugello, wet track on slicks! when rain caused the race to be decided by a 6 lap shoot out!

I guess Ruben figured out he was probably not going to get the 2nd seat on the factory Ducati team next year so its time to move on.

I think he will do a great job of developing the new S1000. So I guess Alex Hoffman will get the 2nd seat since Max N. already resigned with Alstare. I am sure BMW will have at least 1 German rider on its team.

OooOooOOOOOO! Well, I never saw that one coming! Wow!
I like Ruben Xaus but I hope BMW have their budget in place for next year cos they're
gonna need alot for repairs!

"Oi, Helmut! Get that wrecker ready I think he's going for a qualifying lap!"

This is going to be an expensive start for BMW.

@Ducman: I am not so sure about Alex Hoffmann, afaik he is developing an Aprilia bike

But we do have another young guy named Arne Tode, who might be an option.

how long ago was his crashing spell? give the guy some credit, one of the best personalities in wsbk, and can back it up if he has the right tools. its about time he gets back to a factory team, imho he should have had the 2nd seat on the xerox duke. good for rube, go get em bud

BMW may go for a English rider after all Richard Cooper has served them well in the World Endurance and at Daytona in 2008 Fingers crossed for Cooperman!!

Aye, good shout Mark! 5th place at Daytona on the boxer bike was a tremendous result!

No doubt Xaus ican be blindingly quick and brilliant to watch when he's at hsi best...but for BMW to choose him as their lead rider in its 1st season of WSB may not be such a good idea. His propensity for crashing wont help development of the bike. The main thing for BMW is to be solid and consistent next year...I don't think Xaus is the man to deliver that.

Docc - "I don't think Xaus is the man to deliver that"

who would you put in that seat then?

I think someone like Xaus who has so much confidence to run so fast into corners and really push the bike, especialy the front end, is a great rider to develop a bike. A lot of riders lose confidence but Xaus just keeps pushing. Ok me may drop it occasionally but if your not crashing your not trying eh !!!

Dirk: Is that the same Arne Tode who steamrolled half a dozen riders at the first turn in the last World Supersport race? What a flucking stupid idea. He doesn't deserve to ride competitively again after that disgusting move. It probably ended Tommy Hill's career, as well as injuring Venneman and DeGea enough to not race in the restart.

On many spanish sites stays that Troy Corser is the second BMW rider for 2009!!!
Alex Hofmann has a contract by Aprilia !!!

Docc I couldnt disagree more with your view on BMW's goals. I doubt theyre expecting to arrive & be championship contenders in year 1, so consistency is probably last on their list.
They'd be happy to be contenders for a win in a few races, & Rubens is the perfect guy for that.
As they progress they'll look for performance at every circuit & eventually push for the titles.

As boss of the BMW programme I'll have Xaus to make people sit up & take notice now & again, & Corser at any price for consistency & development experience.

What about Neil Hodgson or even McWilliams ? Didnt Jeremy do somthing with BMW earlier in the year after the Buel thing?

Neil is in a 2yr contract with American Honda and considering how DMG is royally screwing American road racing who knows what Neil will be doing next year. Not to mention that the American Honda boss said today that as it stands Honda WILL NOT be participating in AMA in 2009. I am sure Honda will send Neil somewhere else maybe BSB or back to WSBK.

As for Jeremy hes locked with Triumph and honestly hes WAY past his prime. All he should be is a test rider or a team manager.

Corser and Xaus are excellent choices. Besides Corser needs a fresh start, the R1 is just not suited for him. I think the S1000RR will be more like the Alstare GSXR and Corser will be back in his 2005 form again.

bring on the weekend: motogp and sbk!

i like xaus, go zossi and haga!

Aint Xaus a bit big for the tiny BMW bike ?

Thanks Ducman1098
I did not know McWilliams was with Triumph. Agree realy he may be past his best but as a developer few are better