Xaus signs for BMW!

BMW Motorrad has confirmed that Ruben Xaus is to lead its first foray into the World Superbike Championship in 2009.

Not much has been said about the German manufacturer since they announced their entry into the series earlier this year, but while several names were linked with the ride, this is the first official announcement from the team.

Xaus' switch may come as a surprise to some, particularly as he was linked to the available ride at Xerox Ducati next year. Nonetheless, Xaus' move to the fledgling team brings an end to a relationship with the Italian marque that has seen him race for them in seven of the last eight seasons at World Superbike and MotoGP level.

Signing a two-year contract in the process, Xaus admits he wanted in on the project as soon as he got a glimpse of the new machine.

"When I met the BMW guys, I was very impressed by their commitment, their passion for racing and their ideas about the future," he said. "We discussed how the WSBK project was going and I realised that I wanted to be a part of it straightaway.

"It is not often that you get the chance to start a completely new project, but I am really looking forward to the challenge. Although it's going to be tough racing a new bike, I believe BMW will give me a good bike and great support and that's all I ask for."

With ten wins and 34 podiums under his belt, BMW's Peter Mueller claims Xaus was the ideal candidate to get on board to aid the development of the all-new S1000 RR.

"Ever since we announced that we would enter the 2009 Superbike World Championship, there has been a lot of speculation about and interest in our bike and our riders. Everybody has already had some information about our new S1000 RR bike, and today we can reveal one of the riders who will join us in this great adventure next year. Ruben is a strong and combative rider, full of enthusiasm and with a passion for racing.

"This fits our philosophy completely and together we will take on this new challenge. We know that the Superbike World Championship is a very hard and competitive series, but we are not entering it just to make up the numbers: we will be taking part because we want to win! Of course, we are starting with a brand new bike but, together with Ruben, we believe we can progress quickly and maybe surprise a few people along the way."

Former MotoGP rider Xaus is currently in his third consecutive season of World Superbike racing with Sterilgarda Ducati, for whom he has scored one win (2007) and currently lies seventh in the 2008 standings.

No word has been given on who may occupy the second BMW seat, but double world champion Troy Corser has been closely linked to the seat...