Faubel set to reach GP landmark

Tuesday, 9 June 2009

Spaniard Héctor Faubel is to make his 120th Grand Prix appearance this weekend.

The Gran Premi Cinzano de Catalunya this weekend will be a special occasion for Valencia CF Honda-SAG rider Héctor Faubel, in front of the huge Montmeló crowd, as he reaches 120 World Championship appearances.

The rider from Valencia, a three hour drive down the coast from Barcelona, aims to push his way up the standings at round six in the second Spanish race of the year by fighting for a podium finish.

Faubel was part of an all-Spanish 125cc podium in Catalunya in 2006, sandwiched between Álvaro Bautista (1st) and Sergio Gadea (3rd), and he remains a fan of the circuit. “I have some very fond memories from this track and I want to be in the top five this weekend. Depending on how things work out I might even be able to push for the podium again,” he told motogp.com.

If he can step onto the rostrum on Sunday it would be a second podium of 2009 so far for Faubel – who finished in second in France and currently lies ninth in the standings. Giving his perspective on the championship he added, “I think fifth place is achievable and after Montmeló we go to a series of tracks, like Assen, Sachsenring and Donington, which don’t have exceptionally long straights and that could benefit us on the Honda bike.”

Following seven full seasons in the World Championship (since 2002) and a handful of wildcards Faubel has already reached 750 points in total and this weekend is his 120th GP.

“Well it’s quite a few races I’ve done but I still feel like I have so much I want to achieve in my career,” said the 25 year-old. “Bikes are my passion, the championship is my life. I want to continue riding for many more years and reach lots more landmarks.”

Ahead of this weekend’s action Faubel has been doing some good work for charity, participating in the ‘II Concentración Motera de Montoro’ (a meeting of motorcycle enthusiasts) in Córdoba to raise money for the National Disabled Hospital in another Spanish city, Toledo.

During the event Faubel backed a road safety campaign for motorbike riders, saying, “I am very privileged to be where I am today and we need to show our support for those who support us and make motorcycling so popular. Without the fans we would be nothing.”