Another piece of MotoGP’s 2011 silly season has fallen into place, Hector Barbera has extended his contract with Aspar for a second season.
Barbera joined the Aspar Team for the 2010 season after Alvaro Bautista, who was groomed throughout his career by Aspar Martinez decided to sign with Rizla Suzuki for two years.
The Paginas Amarillas rider is currently twelfth after eleven rounds, with 54 points.
In the lower classes Barbera was known for his reckless and erratic behaviour and his battles on track with Marco Simoncelli filled the Spanish papers, however the jump to MotoGP has calmed the Spaniard down (despite criticisms that he has a tendency to try to catch tows and slow down the faster riders) and he has scored points in all the rounds except at Laguna Seca, where he had to pull out when the chain of his Ducati came off during the third lap.
“Even though this is a learning year Hector is doing a very good job in MotoGP, considering the quality of the field,” said Jorge ‘Aspar’ Martinez’.
With the pace he has set he would have been in the top five two years ago and it is hard to find another rider with the same level of performance and potential.
As well as being a good rider, as he has shown on the track, he is an even better person and he has a very similar view of this world to us.
His potential and youth, combined with the fact he is from Valencia, is also a fundamental part of our project.
”“Ducati have supported us ever since we began this project and they agree that Hector is an excellent rider with a long career ahead.
So after announcing that we will be continuing with the Italian factory next year we were keen to confirm that we’ll be sticking with Hector too.
It is a subject that has been on the table practically since the start of the season but we decided to make it public here in Misano considering the good form he has shown in recent races.
”Hector Barbera:“I am really pleased that we will continue to take this project forward.
I was calm and confident that I would stay for another year but once the contracts are signed and sealed that helps you to concentrate better and focus purely on racing.
I want to thank Jorge again for his continued support and for the opportunity to race for him again.
We are doing our job well, the team is helping me a lot and you know when you are part of a winning team.
This is the most difficult project I have ever been involved with because MotoGP is the highest level but I am satisfied that we are working in the right direction.
Now we head to some circuits where I went well last year so we’re looking to end the season on a high.
I am also sure that Valentino’s move to Ducati will bring a lot of experience and improve the bike.
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