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Following several outings with the Aruba.it Racing-Ducati SBK Team this season, Xavi Fores joins Barni Racing Team in 2016. Not only is the Spaniard highly optimistic about the new venture, but he believes podium finishes could be possible.

Having competed in Barcelona’s Superprestigio event last Saturday, Fores had time to catch up with WorldSBK.com during a training day in the Catalan countryside.

Xavi, you are set to participate in the third edition of the Superprestigio in Barcelona. How do you feel about it?
I would like to be in the Superfinal, or in the Superfinal, but I need to learn more about how this works because I’m still no expert! I’ve been looking at it as a step towards my new season. [Fores would go on to claim a second and fourth position in his individual heat races on Saturday night, but would not make the finals].

You had a WorldSBK test with Barni Racing Team at Jerez two weeks ago. How did that go?
It went well. The team and I had three days to get to know each other and I think it all worked well. By the end of it, we had done the third best lap time and times I had never managed to do in Jerez before, so I was very pleased with that. So, I am very content with our progress and I’m very optimistic for when the new bike comes in January.

Surely it is too early to say, as you have only tested the bike once, but have you set yourself a goal for next year’s championship season?
Well…for the first races in Australia and Thailand, I think we need to take them relatively easily and just get to grips with things. It won’t be easy, but if I’m able to go home from those events with sixth or seventh place finishes I will have achieved the first objective. Then we will go on to the European events where things could be different, but I’ve always said that my goal for the year is to be fighting in the top seven or eight while trying to reach the podium: that is something I believe can be feasible, if all goes well.