体坛英语新闻：Australian Karl Muggeridge to replace injured Xaus at World Superbike in UK

CANBERRA, July 27 (Xinhua) -- Australian motorcycle racer Karl Muggeridge will replace Ruben Xaus at the World Superbike races in Britain, as Xaus suffered from injuries due to a crash, Fox Sports Australia reported on Wednesday.

Earlier, Castrol Honda team had fielded Alex Lowes after Jonny Rea was sidelined by injury, but the team has to pull in a second substitute after their second rider, Xaus suffered a horrible crash.

The Spaniard Xaus has leg and back injuries suffered in a first-lap crash in race one of the last meeting at Brno in the Czech Republic.

Honda's 2004 World Supersport champion, Muggeridge, who has last raced for Honda in 2006, will step in place of Xaus to race the World Superbike championship series in Britain.

"I was actually on holiday with the family in Italy when the call came through from Ronald, but I'm really happy to get this opportunity to join the team again," Muggeridge told Fox Sports on Wednesday.

"I actually rode for the Castrol Honda British Supersport team way back, so it's good to be back with that iconic racing name again, too.

"The World Superbike paddock is a place where I feel completely at home, but there's definitely a big job ahead for the weekend. I don't want to set any unrealistic targets, and I'm not going to Silverstone to re-invent the wheel.

"I'll just aim to work hard and ride strong all weekend and hopefully get a couple of decent finishes in the races."

The ninth round of the World Superbike championship will be held from 29 to 31 July at Silverstone, Britain.

Xaus is expected to be fit for round 10 of the World Superbike series in Germany to be held early September.