Spanish rider Fores was called up on Saturday morning at the Portuguese venue by GoEleven following Philipp Oettl’s big crash in Friday practice, which left the German rider with a broken collarbone.
That morning’s third practice session was Fores’ first aboard the GoEleven V4 Panigale R, but despite a lack of track time he qualified a respectable 17th and progressed to 11th in the opening race, best of the independent Ducati riders.
He followed that up with 10th in Sunday’s second full-length race to cap off an accomplished return to WSBK after 18 months away from the series.
“To finish in the top 10 was nice and a little bit unexpected, to be honest,” said Fores. “It was my very first time on the V4 Superbike, but I felt quite good on the bike even from the first session I did with Philipp’s set-up.”
Asked whether he felt he still belonged in WSBK after such a strong showing with limited practice time at Estoril, the 36-year-old replied: “Of course it’s something I’m pushing for.
“I talked a lot with Barni [the Ducati satellite team Fores raced for in 2016-18], we have a good relationship, and I am always telling them that I still feel strong. You could see in the races, my strongest point was the second part of the race.
“If I had a good bike and could work properly on my own bike and style, I can be very strong. But unfortunately there are no bikes [available].
“GoEleven gave me an amazing opportunity to show people that I am still on the pace, I believe in myself, but it’s not in my hands. If there are no bikes, I can’t do anything.”
Fores had established himself a semi-regular podium finisher with the Barni team, finishing seventh in the standings in both 2017 and ‘18, but was replaced for ’19 by now-Ducati works rider Michael Ruben Rinaldi at the behest of sponsor Aruba – something he spoke out strongly against at the time.
That prompted Fores to switch to British Superbike in 2019 with Honda, and…
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