Barberá secures 2011 Aspar renewal

With seven races of the 2010 season remaining the Aspar Team has announced further details of their plans for next season, confirming that Héctor Barberá will continue to ride for them in 2011.

The Spanish rider has had an impressive debut season in the premier class to date, which has also been the Valencian team’s first venture into the top flight of the World Championship. Five top-ten finishes and points-scoring placements in 11 of the 12 rounds so far have underlined the potential of both rider and team, who also announced last week they would be continuing to run a Ducati machine next year.

Team boss Jorge Martínez 'Aspar' said: "Even though this is a learning year Héctor is doing a very good job in MotoGP, considering the quality of the field. With the pace he has set he would have been in the top five two years ago and it is hard to find another rider with the same level of performance and potential.”

“As well as being a good rider, as he has shown on the track, he is an even better person and he has a very similar view of this world to us. His potential and youth, combined with the fact he is from Valencia, is also a fundamental part of our project. Ducati have supported us ever since we began this project and they agree that Héctor is an excellent rider with a long career ahead. It is a subject that has been on the table practically since the start of the season but we decided to make it public here in Misano considering the good form he has shown in recent races."

Barberá, who currently sits 12th in the overall standings and has enjoyed a best result of eighth at Le Mans, commented: "I am really pleased that we will continue to take this project forward. I was calm and confident that I would stay for another year but once the contracts are signed and sealed that helps you to concentrate better and focus purely on racing. I want to thank Jorge again for his continued support and for the opportunity to race for him again.”

“We are doing our job well, the team is helping me a lot and you know when you are part of a winning team. This is the most difficult project I have ever been involved with because MotoGP is the highest level but I am satisfied that we are working in the right direction. Now we head to some circuits where I went well last year so we're looking to end the season on a high. I am also sure that Valentino's move to Ducati will bring a lot of experience and improve the bike."