Barbera: “Estoril Is Usually Kind To Me”
The MotoGP World Championship resumes this weekend at Estoril following a three-week break since the last round at Jerez. The series stays on the Iberian peninsular with a short trip to Portugal, which should ensure a strong Spanish following in the local crowd. The event was hit by heavy rain last year, leading to the cancellation of qualifying on Saturday, and although Estoril is pehaps mainly known for its fickle weather the circuit itself has excellent characteristics within its 4,182m layout. A mixture of fast and slow corners and some dramatic elevation changes, as well as a main straight measuring almost a kilometre in length, make it a demanding proposition for the riders.
Héctor Barberá emerged unscathed from a bruising race at Jerez last time out, picking up a highly creditable sixth place to boot. Whilst other riders fell around him the MAPFRE Aspar rider stayed upright in a confidence-inspiring performance that leaves him optimistic about the next challenge at Estoril. The Spaniard is confident that the Estoril circuit suits his style and is therefore looking forward to another good weekend. Last year he finished tenth in this race and he is hoping for more this time around.
Héctor Barberá:
“The objective in Portugal is to improve the way we work during practice. Above all we want to improve the set-up of my Ducati with our focus on the race, like we did at Jerez. We want to line up on the grid with the best possible pace and fully aware of our potential. Estoril is a circuit that is usually kind to me and I have great memories. I was fourth for a few laps in my first season but I crashed because of a wet track and then the following year I won. I usually get to grips with it quite quickly so I hope that’s the case again this weekend. I have prepared well over the last few weeks and I am looking forward to it.”
Source: Aspar Media