Ex-MotoGP rider Barbera shines on impressive BSB debut
On a weekend that saw BSB’s international racing recruits steal the lion’s share of the headlines at Donington Park,✅ Hector Barbera pulled off arguably th꧅e biggest surprise of all by almost securing a podium on his series debut.
Dr🦩afted in as a replacement for the injured Ben Currie at Quattro Plant JG Speedfit Kawasaki, though the Spaniard – who started 139 MotoGP races during a tenure spanning 2010 and 2017 – has most recently been competing in WorldSBK’s for the privateer Orelac Kawasaki team, he has only ever started four Superbike races.
On a weekend that saw BSB’s international racing recruits steal the lion’꧑s share of the headlines at Donington Park, Hector Barbera pulled off arguably the biggest surprise of all by almost securing a podium on his series debut.
Drafted in as a replacement for the injured Ben Currie at Quattro Plant JG Speedfit Kawasaki, though the Spaniard – who started 139 MotoGP races during a tenure spanning 2010 and 2017 – has most recently been competing in WorldSBK’s for the privateer Orelac Kawasaki team, he has only ever started f♒our Superbike races.
Indeed, that relative inexperience makes his performance at Donington Park aboard the electronics-free Kawasaki ZX-10R all the more impressive after reaching SP3 and securing a sixth place finish in his maiden race. He’💃d go on to finish eighth in race two, before crashing out in race three whilst disputing a top🐟 six finish.
Though strong results in isolation – the best achieved by Quattro Plan𝔉t JG Speedfit Kawasaki this year – Barbera’s efforts were especially notable for his pace in clean air, with fa♎st race laps earning him a front row start in race two and a remarkable pole position in race three.
With this in mind, Barbera was delighted with the results despite being a ‘little 🍃angry’ with his crash at the end, which he put down to simp♉ly ‘finding his limit’.
“I’m very happy with the opportunity I have been given. The bike is very good an🐼d the team are ♏fantastic. I need a little more time with the bike and the tyres; riding with no traction and no electronics. It is difficult as I only went on the bike on Friday morning.
“🎀The last race was my best race despဣite crashing as every session was a testing session and each time we were learning.
“In the last race one changed to th⭕e softer front tyre but maybe the harder tyre would be better for me. Everything was perfect; the bike, the team, and I really like the championship.
“I had a lot of confidence in the last race anꦜd I pushed a little hard, I wasn’t sure of my limit but I found it! I am lucky as the weather has been good all weekend. However, I am a little angry as I think in the last race I could have battled for a podium!”
