Former MotoGP and WorldSBK rider Ruben Xaus has announced he is coming out of retirement to embark on a return to racing with an entry into the US-based 2024 King of the Baggers Championship.

The Spaniard will line-up on a Harley-Davidson Road Glide under the Team Fueling banner, a satellite operation Xaus has created in a collaboration with WorldSBK outfit Team Go Eleven.

Primed to do battle Stateside with former MotoGP rival Jeremy McWilliams - who won a race en route to fourth overall in the 2023 King of the Baggers Championship aboard an Indian - Xaus’ participation comes as part of a plan to launch the quirky and popular series in Europe.

He has already sampled his machinery will a guest outing in the Bagger Racing League, Xaus notching up a second place finish at Willow Springs Raceway.

The deal marks Xaus’ a first professional racing programme for 13 years after injury woes forced him to curtail his career at the end of the 2011 WorldSBK season.

In addition to achieving a podium result at MotoGP level - a third place in Qatar with Ducati in 2004 - Xaus achieved 11 wins during nine seasons of WorldSBK competition with Ducati, BMW and Honda, peaking in 2003 with his run to second in the overall standings.

Following his retirement, Xaus held a management position with MotoGP team Avintia Racing before stepping down when it morphed into VR46 Racing in 2021.

What is the King of the Baggers Championship?

Launched in 2020 as a one-off showcase race at Laguna Seca, King of the Baggers - which comprise a grid of mammoth 1868cc Harley-Davidson Road Glide and 1768cc Indian Challenger bagger-spec cruiser motorcycles - has since grown into one of MotoAmerica’s most popular attractions.

Having originally persevered with a limited schedule in support of the MotoAmerica Superbike Championship, the 2024 iteration will unfurl over an eight-round schedule, including a visit to the Daytona Motor Speedway.