 However, in race 2 at Oschersleben he became the first Spaniard ever to take victory in the Superbike World Championship.A pair of 2nds at Assen (helping Bayliss to clinch the title) and a second win at Imola gave him sixth in the championship.Sixth place in was followed by fifteen podiums and seven victories in , finishing runner up to team mate Neil Hodgson

Xaus made his move into the MotoGP World Championship in 2004 as part of the satellite D'Antin Ducati team.