From a press release issued by Ducati:

HODGSON AND XAUS TO SPEARHEAD DUCATI CORSE’S WORLD SUPERBIKE CHAMPIONSHIP ATTACK IN 2003

Ducati Corse has announced today that Spanish rider Ruben Xaus will line up alongside Neil Hodgson in the factory team to take part in the 2003 World Superbike Championship with the brand-new Ducati 999 Testastretta.

Paolo Ciabatti, responsible for Ducati Corse’s Superbike Programme, also confirmed that Davide Tardozzi will be in charge of the sporting direction of the factory team, with technical direction in the hands of Ernesto Marinelli.

Xaus, born in Barcelona 24 years ago and resident in the Principality of Andorra, has finished sixth in the World Superbike Championship with a Ducati in the past two seasons. In 2002 the Spanish rider finished on the podium ten times (twice second and eight times third) with a total of 249 points. Ruben has already tested the new 999, during one of the bike’s early shakedown sessions in September.

“I’m really happy to be able to continue to ride for Ducati” declared Ruben Xaus, “and I hope I can continue to get the best possible results for the team. It feels strange because although I’m only 24, I feel like one of the oldest guys around in Ducati, this is my fourth year with them. The new bike looks and feels great and I can’t wait to put it through some serious testing out on the track”.

Neil Hodgson, who was confirmed as 2003 factory rider in June, finished third overall in the 2002 WSBK championship on a HM Plant Ducati 998 with 326 points, stepping onto the podium nine times (2 seconds, 7 thirds). Neil becomes a Ducati factory rider for the second time in his career after a two-year spell with the Italian team in 1996 and 1997.

“I’m over the moon about my factory Ducati ride” commented Neil, “it’s like a dream come true. I’m also pleased because it is a sort of reward for all the hard work I’ve put in with GSE over the past few seasons. Everything feels really positive at the moment and I expect to be right up there at the front at the end of next year’s championship”.

Neil, born in Burnley 28 years ago and a resident of the Isle of Man, has already tested his new 2003 Ducati at Mugello at the start of October, and at Valencia this week, when he recorded encouraging times on the Michelin-shod 999.

The 2003 season will be the first time since 1994 that Ducati has competed with a totally new motorbike in the World Superbike Championship. The previous model, the 916, which was introduced in 1994, has been incredibly successful and the various evolutions over the years to keep it competitive have enabled Ducati to win 8 Constructors’ titles. The 916 won in 1994, 1995 and 1996, the 996 in 1998, 1999 and 2000 and the 998 Testastretta won the 2001 and 2002 world championships. The new Ducati 999 unites a radical new design with the successful, race-proven Testastretta engine and this combination of the new bike plus two exciting and experienced riders promises to set the 2003 WSBK season alight.