25 Years of World Superbike: Xaus and Pedercini

Two World Superbike ‘veterans' were the latest riders to be inducted into the SBK 25 Years Hall of Fame at the MotorLand Aragon circuit in Spain over the weekend: Ruben Xaus and Lucio Pedercini.

For the Catalan rider the medal is also a recognition of his contribution made in promoting the world championship in Spain, with 13 years of activity in Superbike and Supersport from 1997 to 2011, only missing out in 2004-2005. Born in Barcelona in 1978, Xaus first wildcarded in SBK at the Nurburgring in 1998 after making a name for himself with 2 wins, 4 poles and 7 podiums in Supersport. In 2001 he was promoted full-time to Superbike with the factory Ducati Infostrada team alongside the legendary Troy Bayliss, and he immediately picked up two wins at Oschersleben and Imola, finishing the season sixth overall.

Appreciated for his gangly riding style and all-out attack strategy, Ruben in Superbike was championship runner-up in 2003 with the brand-new Ducati 999 F03 factory bike. In recent years he raced for Sterilgarda GMB (2 wins in 2007 and 2008 on a Ducati with the icing on the cake coming at his home race at Valencia in 2007), BMW Motorrad Motorsport (2009-2010) and Castrol Honda last year. After retiring from racing activity, Ruben Xaus still continues in the sector as test-rider and sporting director of Bimota Research Development Department, involved in the development of new projects, including a possible future Superbike.

Lucio Pedercini instead has been an integral part of the SBK Paddock since 1998. With 176 races to his name, not only is he the fourth Italian rider with most appearances (behind Chili, Bontempi and Pirovano), but also one of the most present figures in Superbike's 25 year history. Rider and manager for the team, which has always been entered as Team Pedercini, in SBK he scored a total of 350 points, always racing a Ducati, and was crowned Italian Superbike Champion in 2001 and 2002.