Xaus

[Desmonic]

Why do they call this man Spiderman? Also, did Xaus crash at Phillip Island? I missed that race.

He's my favorite rider, even if he crashes a lot

[AZ_Scott]

I haven't been paying a lot of attention to WSBK this year, but I don't think he's had a crashing problem so far this year.


I'm pretty sure the "Spiderman" nickname came about because Xaus is a relatively tall guy (in the context of WSBK), and he seems to crawl all over the bike when he's riding. Kind of like Spiderman crawling up a building...

He seems like a decent guy, and I like to root for him as well, but he really can be Captain Crash-o-matic, can't he!

[John]

Originally Posted by Desmonic

Why do they call this man Spiderman? Also, did Xaus crash at Phillip Island? I missed that race.

He's my favorite rider, even if he crashes a lot

AZ Scott pretty much described why he has the nickname. I remember the commentators calling him that in the first race of the 03 season when Xaus was teamed with Hodgson on the factory Fila Ducati.

He is one of my favorite riders too. Him and Haga. Of course Bayliss too and Chili when he was riding. Anyway, Xaus crashed once this year, two laps from the finish, I think at Donnington. I don't recall him crashing or hearing about it at Phillip Island, but it is a fact he doesn't do it (crash) any where what he used to. I think he deserves another factory ride. Hell, hes doing better than Lanzi.

Xaus brings excitement to the track.

[Desmonic]

Thanks for the info. I figured it was because he is pretty tall.

Yea he took a semi-nasty tumble at Donnington in race 1. He almost did it in race 2 too. I agree, he brings a lot of excitement to the race track. I was really pulling for him in race 2.

[Desmonic]

Originally Posted by AZ_Scott

He seems like a decent guy, and I like to root for him as well, but he really can be Captain Crash-o-matic, can't he!

I think he crashed 19 times one year. Twice was in practice.
But, I leave you with the immortal words of Wayne Rainey: "It's easier for a faster rider to stop crashing, then for a slow rider to get fast."

[MikeM]

IIRC, he crashed at Laguna in '03. While pulling wheelies on the sighting lap.

If you want to see one of Xaus's most exciting moments, find a copy of the MotoGP race at Mugello in '04. It was the rain-interrupted event and for the last laps of the race, some came back out on slicks figuring the rain would end while others came out on rain tires thinking either the rain would last longer than it did or they would carve a big lead on the wet track and hold on.

Xaus and the blue Ducati came out on rain tires and charged to the front holding off Capirossi, Bayliss, Biaggi, Gibernau and Rossi himself. It wasn't to last but it was spectacular while it did.

[Ben710]

In Germany they called him "black hawk down" last season...

I´m kind of a Xaus fan myself, but he crashes a LOT!

[Desmonic]

Yea he crashed at Laguna in '05 too

The report said:

Fortuna Yamaha rider Ruben Xaus crashed moments ago here at Laguna Seca. Xaus appeared to clip a curb and fall semi-harmlessly in the turn 3-4-5 section.

Xaus' two falls on the warm-up lap for a Laguna Seca World Superbike race several years ago is still the unofficial 'Soup bone head move world record.

I'm guessing the "several years ago" was Laguna '03

[trid741]

One guy in Britain who collects Ducati race bikes (another thread here I think) was trying to get ahold of one of Xaus' ex-race bikes. Problem was, bikes existed but no fairings left. One year, he crashed over 20 times in WSBK.
Great rider, but he eventually pissed off the factory team mechanics with his antics.
Rgds
Richard

[Desmonic]

That's funny about his ex-race bikes.

I found a few videos of Xaus. Man, they're pretty good

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uj6uGpgPJ5
crash

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8JqSl2_O5Ho
(think he hit a backmarker here)


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f4AOvyCfk14
flying!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mj7WuDAHUaA
motoGP days, ouch!