The best result yet recorded by Xavi Forés in WorldSBK is P4, and the Spaniard repeated the feat in Race 2 at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in California – even fighting off home hero Nicky Hayden to take the finish. Keeping pace after a more challenging start, the Spaniard was then able to battle with the Kentucky Kid – including some incredible racing centered on the Corkscrew, Laguna’s most infamous corner.

Finding more pace as the race went on, Forés crossed the line on his Panigale R as the lead rider behind the factory Kawasaki and Ducati riders, taking another fourth place finish on a track that he has never ridden on before – an impressive statistic for the rider to take forward into the summer break.

“Today was a fun race, especially fighting with Nicky Hayden at the end,” said Forés, who went toe-to-toe with the 2006 MotoGP World Champion. “At the beginning of the Race I was struggling a lot with the front of the bike, but after 10 laps I was able to overtake Nicky and stay in fourth until the end. There were some fun moments over the Corkscrew and at the final corner overtaking him, and at the end it was a very important result for us, because it was our first time on this track.”

WorldSBK now heads into the summer break until getting back out on track at Lausitzring in September, as the final four Rounds of the season ramp up to another thrilling climax of the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship.