Misano MotoGP: Hector Barbera signs new Ducati deal

Hector Barbera has signed a new deal for the Aspar Ducati squad.
The Spaniard, who is currently 12th in his rookie MotoGP world championship campaign, has signed a one-year deal to ride a Ducati GP11 machine next season.

Heading into tomorrow’s 28-lap Misano MotoGP race in Italy, Barbera has scored a best result of eighth in Le Mans and scored points in ten of the 11 races for Jorge Martinez’s squad.

He said: “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.”

Martinez said he was happy to have clinched a new deal with Barbera and added: “Even though this is a learning year Hector is doing a very good job in MotoGP, considering the quality of the field.

“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. 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.”