Ruben Xaus believes BMW will be in a position to challenge for the World Superbike title in 2011, even if he admits he is unsure of whether he will be present to contribute.
Following a steady debut in Superbikes last season, BMW progressed markedly so far this year with Troy Corser proving a consistent front runner, the Australian notching up the manufacturer's first podium at Monza and pole position at Misano.
With just a WSBK win now missing from BMW's target list, Corser's team-mate Xaus says the team will be on a par with its rivals from the start of 2011 and therefore in with a chance of challenging for the title.
“Of course,” Xaus told Crash.net when asked if he thought BMW are on course to become world champions. “Next year is a starting point for them, equal to everybody. Last year we had a big disadvantage. This year we are at a disadvantage. Next year we will be equal. When you are equal, you can win the championship.”
While Xaus plays down the overall effect team manager Davide Tardozzi has had since joining from Ducati, claiming the team was always likely to make a big step forward from its first season, he does admit the Italian has had a very positive motivation on BMW.
“Everything helps,” he added. “It gave a lot of motivation to everybody. He says we can win, be at the top, but last year was the first year so it wasn't going to be hard to improve. Davide has brought a really good thing to the team and the atmosphere is good.”
As for his own future, while Xaus says he would be happy to stick with a project he has worked on since it was announced he was joining the team in 2008, he adds he won't stay if some don't want him to.
“They know how I am as a person, as a rider and as a professional, so it is their option if I continue the project. I don't want to be in a place where some people don't want me, so I give my best and if at the end of the season we are happy to be together and continuous, I am more than glad. But I need to be happy and that's not just for racing, but for life.”
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