BMW Motorrad Motorsport has confirmed they have agreed terms with Spaniard Ruben Xaus and that he will ride their all-new BMW S 1000 RR in the Superbike World Championship in 2009.

The contract between BMW Motorrad Motorsport and Ruben is for two years and is the first step in BMW Motorrad Motorsport’s entry into World Superbikes. Ruben was born in Sant Cugat des Valles in Cataluyna and lives with his wife (Mariona) and daughter (Julia) in Andorra. He has been a WSBK regular since 1998 and has taken 34 podiums, including 10 victories.

“Ever since we announced we would enter the 2009 Superbike World Championship, there has been a lot of speculation about — and interest in — our bike and our riders,” Peter Mueller, Executive Vice President Development & Model Lines, said.

“Everybody has already had some information about our new S1000 RR bike, and today we can reveal one of the riders who will join us in this great adventure next year. Ruben is a strong and combative rider, full of enthusiasm and with a passion for racing. This fits our philosophy completely and together we will take on this new challenge.

“We know the Superbike World Championship is a very hard and competitive series, but we are not entering it just to make up the numbers: we will be taking part because we want to win! Of course, we are starting with a brand new bike but, together with Ruben, we believe we can progress quickly and maybe surprise a few people along the way.”

Xaus, meanwhile, clearly happy to be onboard with BMW, said: “When I met the BMW guys I was very impressed by their commitment, their passion for racing and their ideas about the future. We discussed how the WSBK project was going and I realised I wanted to be a part of it straightaway. “It is not often that you get the chance to start a completely new project, but I am really looking forward to the challenge. Although it’s going to be tough racing a new bike, I believe BMW will give me a good bike and great support and that’s all I ask for.”