Fores replaces Camier at Honda for Misano WorldSBK test

Xavi Fores will join the Moriwaki Althea Honda team for this week’s World Suprbike test at Misano in place of the injured Leon Camier ahead of a possible race return to the series at Jerez.

The experienced Spaniard started 91 WorldSBK races and completed three full seasons before switching to the Bennetts British Superbike Championship this season, where he is competing with the factory Honda Racing team.

His call up comes at the expense of Leon Camier, who is continuing his recovery from the shoulder injury he sustained in a crash at Imola. Fores is expected to be used as Camier’s race substitute if he is declared unfit for the sixth WorldSBK round at Jerez on June 7-9.

“Following a blameless collision with another rider during the Superpole qualifying session at the Italian WSBK round in Imola, which left him with damage to his left shoulder ligaments and unfit to race that weekend, Leon Camier will also miss the two-day test set to take place at Misano (Italy) on 29-30 May, read a statement.

“The injury is expected to heal by itself with the Brit needing more recovery time. No surgery is currently advisable, but the situation will be re-assessed as and when necessary.”

Fores – a six-time podium winner in WorldSBK – will be one of three riders on track for the Moriwaki Althea Honda team, with regular rider Ryuichi Kiyonari being joined by Honda’s All Japan Road Race JSB10000 racer and former MotoGP rider Yuki Takahashi.

The Spaniard heads to Italy on a high after clinching a trio of podiums in BSB at Donington Park over the weekend.