Barberá going for top-ten repeat

Héctor Barberá’s placing as the highest finishing rookie at Le Mans has given the MotoGP rookie added confidence heading into the Mugello weekend, as he prepares to continue his promising start to the 2010 season that has seen him collect points at every round so far.

The Spanish rider of the Páginas Amarillas Aspar team was the highest placed rookie in the last race at Le Mans, taking a fine eighth place after a marvellous contest with rivals Marco Simoncelli and Hiroshi Aoyama, and he is now aiming for a repeat display in Italy.

"I am feeling very motivated about the Italian Grand Prix this weekend and I am keen to continue improving my results. Mugello is a circuit I love and I have always enjoyed riding there,” said Barberá, who finished on the podium at the Italian track in the 2007 quarter-litre race. “To be going to Italy on the back of a race like the one we had in France is exciting because I know I can be fighting for top-ten finishes at every race.”

Evidently improving his feeling with the Desmosedici GP10 as each race goes by, Barberá continued: “This is also Ducati's home race and the circuit where the bike was effectively born and developed. I'm sure this will be an extra source of motivation for all the Ducati riders, as will the support of the Italian fans, who are very passionate like the Spanish fans. Mugello is characterised by fast corners and you need a smooth riding style to make up time, which suits me."