Another Top 10 finish for Barbera

The MotoGP round at Germany’s Sachsenring was a stop-start affair, but once it got going in earnest because an enthralling tussle for positions. An initial nine-lap stint had separated the field somewhat, but a crash involving Randy de Puniet, Alvaro Bautista and Aleíx Espargaró provoked the appearance of the red flag and a restart that retightened the screws. The same top two took off at the head of the field, With Dani Pedrosa taking victory from Jorge Lorenzo after passing his rival ten laps in. Casey Stoner and Valentino Rossi fought tooth and nail for the final podium place, with the former snatching the third place on the final corner.

The MotoGP class is the only one of the three World Championship categories to head from Germany to the United States for the next round, which takes place at the sweeping Laguna Seca circuit in California.

Héctor Barberá did his bit for Spanish pride in the German round of the MotoGP World Championship, starting from the second row of the grid and storming out of the blocks. The Páginas Amarillas Aspar rider took off like a rocket in the first part of the race, but did not begin the restart in the same manner. After finally passing Marco Melandri, Barberá had a solo ride to the line to finish ninth. The third best qualified Ducati -behind factory riders Casey Stoner and Nicky Hayden- the rookie was also the third Spaniard past the flag. Another top ten for Barberá, who races at Laguna Seca for the first time next weekend.

9th Héctor Barberá: “I was really up for the first race, as I know that I am a good starter. Suddenly I found myself in third -today I was really able to see how much easier things are when you start from higher up on the grid. I was trying to find my pace just as the race was red flagged and it took away my focus a little. I didn’t start as well in the second race and was slowed down until I was able to pass Melandri, as this track is difficult for overtaking. I was feeling comfortable riding and on one hand I’m happy with the step forward that we took. On the other hand, I was five seconds off fifth place and could have been closer. I feel good about the race, which went by very quickly; when I looked to the pitboard for information I saw that there was only one lap left. That was because I was having so much fun. It’s the closest that I have come to the racewinner, but I can’t afford to drop my guard just yet.”

Source: Aspar Team