Hector Barbera keeps up progress in Indy

The Páginas Amarillas Aspar rookie rose from 16th on the grid to score his fifth top-ten result of the season in Indianapolis.

Páginas Amarillas Aspar rider Héctor Barberá had a good Red Bull Indianapolis Grand Prix results-wise, returning to the top ten. He was 16th on the grid following Saturday qualifying, and managed to climb six places whilst battling with his Ducati's slippery front end. The Spaniard overcame this handicap to add a further seven points to his World Championship tally, and awaits next weekend's race at Misano in order to further improve his results in his rookie year. His team will also analyse the data collected over the 28-lap race in order to better configure his Desmosedici for the upcoming races that will perhaps be equally as hot as that held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Hector Barbera:

"This result is fairly positive, but I can't say that I am entirely satisfied because I didn't have much fun out there. I was having front end problems right from the word go; on each corner I had the steering tuck in and I felt like there was no grip. I had to be very focused and pay attention to every turn in order to stay upright, because it would have been very easy to have crashed. It's strange, but the heat did not help us at all, as I felt comfortable during the morning warm up and thought that a good race was possible. When the temperatures rose it took too much out of the bike. Perhaps it is due to a small change in the engine, but we will look at it in detail this week in order to be ready for Misano where it will also be hot. It isn't logical that we should suffer with this. In any case, it is the first time that this has happened to us and we can't be too displeased with a return to the top ten. Next week we should be in peak condition again."

Source: http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2010/

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Aspar Team and Ducati to continue together in 2011

A positive debut campaign in the premier class has led to the Spanish team and Italian factory renewing their deal for next season, with Team boss Jorge Martínez ‘Aspar’ aiming to expand with a second rider in 2012.

The Aspar Team is pleased to announce that it will continue to contest the MotoGP World Championship with Ducati next season, having recently agreed a new deal at the British Grand Prix at Silverstone. The Spanish outfit is delighted to extend the excellent relationship they have already established with the Borgo Panigale manufacturer, which has given its unconditional support to the project headed by Jorge Martínez 'Aspar' since it began. The commitment of both parties has ensured that Héctor Barberá has been able to make an impressive start to his rookie season in the premier class.

The recent announcement that Valentino Rossi has signed with Ducati gives the Aspar Team extra satisfaction and motivation, given that the technical expertise of the Italian superstar combined with the experience of Filippo Preziosi, creator of the Ducati Desmosedici - the MotoGP title-winning bike in 2007 - can make it an even more competitive package. For the Aspar Team it is a huge bonus that they will benefit from the genius of both Preziosi and Rossi for the 2011 season.

The next objective for the Aspar Team is to extend the deal with Ducati into 2012 and Jorge Martínez 'Aspar' is already in negotiations with the team's sponsors to expand to two riders.

“I am very happy to extend our contract with Ducati for another season,” said Martínez. “Ever since we crossed paths everybody in Borgo Panigale has been completely committed to our project and the relationship is magnificent so it is an honour for us to extend it. So far we have made an agreement for one more season but my objective is for us to continue into 2012 and expand to two riders.”

“Conversations are underway although first of all we need to focus on getting sponsorship in place so that we can make a long term commitment. Aside from this we have the news that Valentino Rossi has signed for Ducati. The Desmosedici is already one of the best bikes on the grid and I'm sure that with his input it will be even better and more manageable. His collaboration will benefit us a lot because I am sure we will have the same bike."

Source: http://www.motogp.com/en/news/

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Hector Barberá motivated by best premier class qualification

The Páginas Amarillas Aspar MotoGP rookie will start from sixth position on the grid at Sachsenring.

Páginas Amarillas Aspar rider Héctor Barberá produced his very best form at Sachsenring today, showing a signal of his intent with the ninth fastest time in free practice this morning before qualifying in a sensational sixth this afternoon. The Spaniard was on the pace from the start of the session, lapping consistently inside the top ten with a pace in the 1'22”s before making the most of a tow from Dani Pedrosa in the closing stages. His 28th lap of 32 was set behind his fellow Spaniard and it proved to be his fastest, a time of 1'22.454 placing the rookie on the second row of the MotoGP grid for the first time.

Héctor Barberá

"This is my best grid position so far - I've made up three rows in one go and it's a result that gives me a lot of motivation. It has come on the back of a lot of hard work, time, effort and enthusiasm and I'm feeling more confident in this class every day. The last few races haven't gone as well as we would have liked, we dropped off the pace a little, but we're turning things around. Sachsenring is a circuit I like and I hope to make the most of the opportunity to score a good result. I felt strong over the last few laps and tried to follow Dani, which worked out perfectly. At the end he got away from me but not before I set a good lap time. I'm really happy with the way the weekend has gone so far because I have been very consistent and we're doing things right. Now we're on the second row and I have to make the most of it. The objective as always will be to finish in the top ten and if I can repeat my result from qualifying that would be perfect. Now I've seen I can run near the front my goals have changed slightly but we have to keep our feet on the ground because the level is so high in this category."

Source: http://www.motogp.com/en/news/

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