Xavi Forés (Barni Racing Team) has arrived at MotorLand Aragon determined to extend his successful run, which began at Phillip Island and continued in Buriram – two challenging stages in which he ended up climbing onto the podium, after shining throughout both Rounds. The Valencian faces the first European Round of the season aware of the expectations that his brilliant start to the year has created, but also that his “home” race gives him the opportunity to fight for his dreamt first win in WorldSBK.

“In the past, I’ve always been fast here”, explained Fores this Thursday in a video interview, set in Barni Racing’s box. “Last year, after the incident in Race 1 [his bike caught fire on the straight, and he suffered some burns] I was still able to be sixth in Sunday’s race despite the injuries I had, so I’m optimistic. It’s a circuit I like and it adapts well to our bike, so why not dream of a first win in Aragon? But above that, it’s about having fun, trying to fight for a podium position in both races, and keeping on the track we’ve started, which isn’t easy, but we’re managing it”.

Analysing the blueprint to achieving his goals on the Alcañiz racetrack, Fores points out: “Above all, we need to perform a good Superpole. We’ve seen that with rhythms so similar between us all, it makes a huge difference to have a good start and to push hard in the first laps. If I can make a good start, I can surely fight for a top 5 finish in both races, fight for the podium and, if I see that’s not possible, keep a cool head, feet on the ground and try to take as many points as I can for the championship, which is long. I need to keep a cool head and not make mistakes”.

Listen Fores’ full analysis on his performances in Australia and Thailand, how he rates the Independent Riders category, his goals for the 2018 season and much more in the video above.