Xavier Simeon will move up to MotoGP™ next season, as the Belgian joins Reale Avintia Racing to compete alongside Tito Rabat in the squad – with an agreement in place for both 2018 and 2019. Former FIM STK1000 Cup winner Simeon debuted in Moto2™ in 2010, and took his first win in the category two years later in the German GP.
Xavier Simeon: “It’s a fantastic opportunity and I’ve been working hard to get it for many years. I’m so happy to make this dream a reality; a dream I’ve been pursuing since I was a child. Day after day, I’ve done everything I could to get here. My efforts, alongside those of Freddy Tacheny and the Zelos team, have come to fruition and I want to thank them. I won my Superstock title with Ducati and I‘m very happy to be back with the marque at Reale Avintia Racing. I want to try the bike. Once more I’d like to thank my sponsors and my fans for having believed in me and for all their support they’re giving me in this new challenge.”
Raúl Romero, CEO Esponsorama: “I’m very happy to announce the arrival of Xavi Simeon to our team. He’s a hard working rider and has won in Moto2 – a very tough category with stiff competition. After some seasons in the intermediate class, he will arrive in MotoGP very motivated and wanting to learn. I think he will make a very good pairing with Tito Rabat who, in his third year in the premier calss, will be the point of reference within the team. But 2017 hasn’t yet finished and I’m sure we will be able to celebrate good results with Hector Barbera and Loris Baz, two great riders who have made the team grow in the last few years and whom I wish all the best in the future.”
Freddy Tacheny, CEO Zelos: “I founded Zelos five years ago with one ambition: uniting efforts to assure that Belgian athletes are able to reach their maxmum level within their discipline. For 17 years we have been without a Belgian rider in the MotoGP class, and that’s a long time! That’s why today I’m especially proud to be involved. Our country has the capacity to shine with the right resources. It hasn’t been easy but we can count on the support of our partners in this venture. With them, this opportunity has become a reality. I want to thank every one of them and especially Raul Romero, CEO of Reale Avintia Racing. I’m thrilled with this two year agreement. Xavier counts on all of our confidence in being able to take on this awesome challenge. He’s the starting point for the path we have created in Belgium.”