Barbera continues form in 250cc practice session

Hector Barbera was the 250cc class´ quickest man in the opening practice session for the bwin.com British Grand Prix, riding a late 1´32.788 lap ahead of this afternoon´s first qualifying run.

The Team Toth Aprilia man gave a late surge to knock rival Marco Simoncelli off the top spot, following on from his Catalunya front row and podium combination.

Metis Gilera rider Simoncelli is on a run of two consecutive victories in the quarter litre class, and is rapidly closing in on series leader Mika Kallio. Carrying this form to Donington Park, he was the only other 250cc rider capable of breaking the 1´33 barrier.

The rival usurped by Simoncelli on the final lap in Catalunya was once again just behind the Italian, as Mapfre Aspar´s Alvaro Bautista clocked a time 0.165 slower than the rider on a roll. Both have taken pole positions in 2008, as has fourth placed Alex Debon –a further 0.042 down in the first practice session.

Emmi-Caffe Latte´s Thomas Luthi, Red Bull Ktm rider Hiroshi Aoyama and Debon´s Lotus Aprilia Teammate Aleix Espargaro also featured in the top ten, joined by Julian Simon. Championship contenders Mattia Pasini and Kallio closed the fastest ten riders.