The following is from Suzuki…
Team Hammer announced today that Xavi Forés will substitute for injured Richie Escalante aboard the Vision Wheel M4 ECSTAR Suzuki GSX-R1000R Superbike when the 2024 MotoAmerica AMA/FIM North American Road Racing Championship season resumes at Barber Motorsports Park, in Birmingham, Alabama, on May 17-19. Forés will race for the team until Escalante is cleared by MotoAmerica medical.
Escalante is on the mend after crashing with another rider moments after taking the checkered flag in eighth in the 2024 Superbike season-opening round at Road Atlanta. Despite walking away from the fall under his own power, Escalante was later diagnosed with a left wrist fracture and a left ankle fracture, plus compression fractures of his L1, L2, and L4 vertebrae.
Spaniard Forés is well suited to step into the role and compete on short notice. He is a very experienced road racer, having competed in many top-level series during his two-decade-plus professional career.
Prior to joining the MotoAmerica tour in 2023, Forés won the IDM Superbike Championship (2014), and the CEV Stock Extreme Championship (2010 and 2013). He also has competed in MotoGP, Moto2, MotoE, 125cc Grand Prix, World Superbike, World Supersport, World Endurance, and British Superbike racing series.
Team Hammer witnessed the 38-year-old flex all that skill and experience up close a year ago, when Forés won the 2023 MotoAmerica Supersport title in dominant fashion, claiming nine race wins among his 12 podium finishes.
“I am excited for this opportunity. It’s a shame Richie was injured but I am glad to help,” said Forés. “The situation I am in, I have wanted the right opportunity in MotoAmerica Superbike but before this, it hadn’t come yet. Richie and I are friends, and he is always telling me the bike is capable of the podium. I know it is a good team supported by Suzuki, we have the opportunity to earn good results. Having a great year racing in America last season and learning the paddock and tracks will help, too.”
