Fores gets last-minute call-up to replace injured Oettl in Team Goeleven at Estoril
The Spanish rider was ready to put his leathers back on as Oettl was declared unfit for the rest of the event
Philipp Oettl (Team Goeleven) will miss the remainder of the Estoril Round, round three of the 2022 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship, and he will be replaced by Spaniard Xavi Fores. Fores, a six-time WorldSBK podium finisher, all of which came with Ducati, will make his return to action in the class from Free Practice 3 on Saturday morning. The return comes at the circuit Fores bowed out of WorldSBK at in 2020, when his eighth place for Puccetti Kawasaki gave Kawasaki the manufacturers’ crown. Oettl is out due to a right collarbone fracture sustained in a late crash at Turn 13 in FP2.
Talking about his return to action, Fores said: “I am really happy with this opportunity to ride on a track and a bike that I really like. I was already at the circuit, my job this weekend was to be a commentator for Eurosport but when I received the news from Team Goeleven, I was really happy to be able to do so. Everything will happen really fast, but I just think about having fun and doing a great job for the team. I send a big hug to Philipp and hope he gets well soon.”
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