Just before Xavier Simeon leaves for Spain to test his Ducati Xerox Superstock 1000 bike we found him for an interview.

Xavier, how does it feel to be a member of the Ducati Xerox Junior Team today?
It’s the first time for me to do some PR for Ducati and I really enjoy it. It’s a big change for me after Suzuki but it’s a new challenge. I am meeting so many journalists this days, it’s really great for me.

Did you receive many comments, reactions?
All my friends at home and in the paddock are very happy for me to join the Italian team and I am also sure that I made the good decision. Ducati won the SBK Championship, Superstock. I believe Ducati is the best.

How about the model range from Ducati?
They have a new bike, the Streetfighter. It think it’s a good bike for roads. All the Ducati bikes are built to have fun, not only riding. If I could choose a new bike for myself it’s the Streetfighter for sure, I want to try it out!

And after a few more days you will be in Spain?
Yes, I have waited a long time to go to Spain to test the bike, just a few days more. We will concentrate first to have a good feeling with the bike and then I want to put some fast lap times. I don’t see any problem to do it. It’s very simple: GAS and BRAKING!

It’s also a complete Italian team?
All the members in the team are exactly the same as last year, they have so much experience, we will be very competitive.

You’re used to speaking French, what about the communication with the Italians?
I speak Italian, Spanish, English, French and a little Dutch. I want to talk a better Dutch but it’s difficult and I don’t use it much in communications. I think it’s also because of my knowledge of different languages they wanted to take me. I can speak Italian to the crew, the team, the journalists.

I hope we will be here again next year to talk about the first test in World Superbike?
This year first Superstock and then we will see!

Source and photo | DCF

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