Xavi Fores, the 25-year-old Spanish Team Motorrad Competicion rider, and last year's Spanish Stock Extreme 1000 champion on a BMW S 1000 RR, will ride the German bike vacated by James Toseland in the final three rounds of this year's WSBK championship.

Fores was born in 1985 and began his career in 1992 with Minibikes. In 1999 he won the Aprilia 50cc one-make category and was second in 125 cc. In 2000 he debutted in CEV 125 and was 15th at the end of the season. In 2003 Fores took part in CEV Supersport and in 2004 was third. In 2005 he raced in World Supersport with a Suzuki, while in 2009 took part in the FIM Cup Superstock 1000. Last year he took the CEV Stock Extreme title on a BMW S 1000 RR.

Serafino Foti, BMW Motorrad Italia SBK Team manager, declared: "Xavi is a young rider and has experience with both four-stroke machines and in international races. He has proved he can be quick and consistent, last year in CEV Superstock Extreme he won 6 out of the 7 races in the championship. Due to the short time available before Imola next weekend his experience on a BMW S 1000 RR is important. As he has already raced with this bike Xavi knows some of its characteristics and it will probably be easier for him to adapt to our bike".