Sterilgarda apologise for Xaus behaviour.

GMB Racing, which runs the Sterilgarda Ducati team, has apologised for the behaviour of Ruben Xaus after race one at Donington Park on Sunday.

The Spaniard believed he had finished the two-part race in third position, despite falling at high speed on the red flag lap.

Although the race results were taken from the end of the lap prior to his fall, Xaus was removed from the final classification because he failed to return to the pits within five minutes of the race being stopped.

A furious Xaus initially refused to leave the podium (pictured) and is believed to have verbally abused those around him - including team-mate Max Biaggi, who was promoted to third place due to Xaus' disqualification.

"We are very sorry about the behaviour of Ruben in the podium area, and we also wish to apologise to our rider, Max Biaggi, for the words expressed to him by his team-mate," said Sterilgarda team manager Marco Borciani.

"We fully understand Xaus's heated reaction, because at the time it may have seemed that injustice had been done towards him, due to a clause in the regulations. The matter has now been cleared up and put behind us by both the team and its two riders."

Xaus will join BMW next season, whilst Biaggi's plans remain unknown after losing out on a Ducati Xerox seat to Noriyuki Haga.