In 2012 Hector Barbera (Avintia Racing) took a surprise front row start at the Italian GP on board a satellite Ducati. The Spaniard was able to surprise everyone once again as he set a 1’21.572 in Q2 to secure second position on the grid. It’s his best ever Qualifying result in the premier class and he’s not only the leading Independent Team rider but also the leading Ducati, both the factory riders outside the top five. Sunday’s GoPro Motorrad Grand Prix Deutschland will be the first time an Avintia Racing rider has lined up on the front row of the grid, he and the team over the moon at the result. Barbera’s achievement is made even more impressive by the fact he is on the GP14.2 Ducati, a machine first used in 2014. With 58 points he's also the leading Ducati in the championship, a front row putting him in a near perfect position to defend his points advantage.
Hector Barbera: “I am very happy because this has been my best result on the MotoGP grid. It's a track where expectations were high. To get the second position is incredible and I think it is a way to thank the team and all the people who work on this project. The team is doing a very good job all weekend. I think we have the ability to do it and we have shown that today. We have a bike that is two years old and it shows, because you always have to put a little more. Tomorrow in the race I do not know if it will be wet or dry; but I try to do my best and leave here with a good result.”