Bimota could be set for a return to World Superbikes from 2013 after former WSB rider Ruben Xaus confirmed that the manufacturer is working on a racing programme.

Xaus, now Bimota’s new Sporting Director, said that the Italian manufacturer is considering a return to World Superbikes, starting with some wildcard appearances in 2013 followed by a full-time entry from 2014.

“We are developing a bike for 2013, when they should change the rules which should lean towards more stock specs,” he told Motoblog.it at the Motorbike Expo in Verona.

“We don’t know if we’d start immediately with a full time entry or if we’ll just-wild card a few times in 2013 and then compete full time in 2014. We have to see first if we’re competitive, and then there’s the topic regarding sponsors, if we were to have a partner with a lot of capital we could start right away and gradually develop the bike, but we will be there.”

Xaus is taking a hands-on roll in the development of Bimota’s DB8 motorcycle, as well as Bimota’s Moto2 project, the HB4.