[Guest]

From 'soup

"Xaus is currently riding for Ducati Corse in WSC, but has been exploring American Superbike rides since after the July Laguna Seca WSC races ... could he be riding a factory Ducati in America next season?"

Oh for a Ducati return to power in the AMA series. Makes my little heart go pitter pat just thinking about it. Hell, I'd settle for moderately competitive at this point. The full article http://www.amasuperbike.com/2003-Aug/030825b.htm has other good rumor stuff.

 

[DaffeDuc]

that would be great to see in the ama!

 

[MonsterHooligan]

 

[memonstro]

With some of the tracks over here and as often as he crashes I hope he survives the season ! It would be great to see him over here though.

 

[DaffeDuc]

well, the Laguna track is pretty technical - i think he likes that one a lot

 

[memonstro]

He would be fun to watch at Brainard and Road Atlanta too. Any ideas who the other rider would be ? Kurtis Roberts hasn't been resigned yet. Him and Xaus would crash alot , but they wold certianly be exciting to watch!!!!
This does sound like Ducati is leaving WSBK though which is sad. One other rumor I read was Hodgson and Toesland going to MotoGP with the GSE team.

 

[DaffeDuc]

I think ducati always telegraphed their intention of going with MotoGP. They're pretty confident with their WSB class bikes (9xx series bikes)

 

[memonstro]

I think that once grand prix bikes went 4-stroke the writing was on the wall for wsbk. It would just cost too much for Ducati to support a full factory effort in both classes.
The new spec tire rule gave the factorys an excuse to pull out of the class, but maybe this will mean better stuff for the domestic series.

 

[Guest]

Looks like as well as new riders there will be new manufacturers, Guzzi and Buell. Hope to see them always more room for more twins.

 

[Mark1305]

If Xaus and Aaron Yates both race in AMA Superbike next season, it will make for a true "Battle of the Titans" in the physical sense. These two have got to be the two physically biggest world class riders right now. And the similarities in how they wrestle the bikes into submission (and sometimes fall off) would make for some interesting viewing.

If WSBK (aka the Ducati Cup) fades away, the major mfgs will no doubt look to AMA SBK as the alternative venue to GP, especially for the promotion of their production machinery.
It is still true - What wins on Sunday, sells in the showrooms on Monday.

 

[TX907]

Supposedly Hodgson will go to the satellite MotoGP team on this years bikes. Don't know who will be on the other bike.

I think there was talk of Toseland and/or Laconi being the factory riders in WSBK.

I have heard from a couple of people that Xaus WILL be riding for Ducati Austin next year. They will have serious factory support and 999's.

 

[don_zielke]

What about Giovanni Bussei? Will he be back next year? I think he did pretty good this year, considering he didn't know the tracks. It would be cool to have Xaus and Bussei here riding Ducatis...

 

[Guest]

I think you are right Bussei did a great job, really was able to do what Gobert couldn't. Hope he will be back next year.

 

[AllyCat]

Hopefully Ducati Austin will do something since Gobert basically trashed that whole racing team.

 

[TX907]

Well now that Xaus has won some races, he seems to be in demand. Cycle News rumor mill says he will go to the Ducati B MotoGP team with Hodgson.

Maybe Bussei will come back. Hopefully they can get a second rider and with Ducati support improve the team.

 

[elpato]

http://www.rubenxaus11.com/ He says he'll give up the gouge as soon as he and his management decide.
He is a super cool cat. His dad has/had a moto repair shop down the street from my wifes house in San Cugat in Barcelona. Real down to earth. Wish I could ride like that. But then you would all be talking about me then?

 

[craigslistb123]

This track is so good and this is a good news to see you in AMA.