Rubén Xaus

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Rubén Xaus (born 18 February 1978 in Barcelona) is a Catalan motorcycle racer, presently competing in World Superbike

His father who competed in amateur mountain bicycle races, gave Xaus his first motorcycle at the age of five, a Montesa 25cc. Aged 14 he was racing dirt-bikes, but his father convinced him to turn his attentions towards road racing. Xaus took part in the 125cc Catalan Championship, the 125cc Solo Moto Criterium, and that same year he took victory in the 80cc Catalonia Supermoto Championship.

In 1994 he competed in the Open Ducados Supersport series in Spain – finishing 17th place, improving to third the following year. In 1995 he entered the FIM Thunderbike trophy and contested four 250cc Grand Prix. Xaus finished sixth in Thunderbike in 1996, moving to World Supersport in 1997 taking 12th overall.

In 1998 he rode in the German Pro-Superbike series, taking sixth, with the clear intention of preparing himself for World Superbike. In 1999 he finished fifth in the World Supersport, taking his first ever victory at Misano. In 2000 he rode one of the official Ducati factory team Supersport bikes, finishing seventh and taking two victories

In 2001 he moved to the factory Ducati World Superbike team in partnership with then-champion Colin Edwards. In round two he became the first Spaniard ever to take victory in World Superbike Championship, and finished second to in the championship to Edwards. Sixth place in 2002 was followed by fifteen podiums and seven victories in 2003, finishing runner up to team mate Neil Hodgson

Xaus made his move into the MotoGP World Championship in 2004 as part of the satellite D'Antin Ducati team. The team was grossly under funded and could not afford testing time, but Xaus adapted better to the situation than team mate Hodgson. Consistent points-scoring performances and a debut podium at Qatar saw him snap up the ‘Rookie of the Year’ title and 11th place overall in the championship standings. In 2005 he moved to the Fortuna Yamaha Team to ride alongside his friend Toni Elías. But a more pronounced power delivery and difficult chassis, and Xaus's charging/forced riding style meant he looked a different rider to the one of 2004, and he crashed numerous times.

For 2006 he returned to World Superbikes, with a ride for the new Italian satellite Ducati team Sterilgarda Berik, alongside Marco Borciani. He twice set the fastest lap, but his fast charges often ended in crashes, and he was only 14th overall. He remains with the team for 2007.

[edit] Personal data

Residence: Barcelona, Catalunya
Height: 183 cm
Weight: 74 kg
Marital status: Single
Hobbies: Mountain biking, Snowboarding, Golf

[edit] Career history

2006: 14th, Superbike World Championship, Team Sterilgarda Berik, Ducati 999 #11
2005: 16th, MotoGP World Championship, Fortuna Yamaha Tech3, Yamaha YZR-M1
2004: 11th, MotoGP World Championship, Team D'Antin, Ducati Desmosedici
2003: 2nd, Superbike World Championship, Works Team Ducati 999
2002: 6th, Superbike World Championship, Works Team Ducati 998
2001: 6th, Superbike World Championship, Works Team Ducati 916
2000: 7th, Supersport World Championship, Works Team Ducati 748
1999: 5th, Supersport World Championship
1998: 51st, Superbike World Championship
1997: 17th, Supersport World Championship