Hector Barbera (Reale Avintia Racing) has had a difficult start to the season, but the Spaniard says the Catalan GP finally showed their real progress as a second row start was converted into a top ten finish. Getting a better rhythm throughout the race, the Avintia rider also managed to cross the line ahead of Championship leader Maverick Viñales (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) by a close margin of only two tenths at the flag.
Hector Barbera, P9: "I am very happy because after a chaotic start to the season today we have finally been able to demonstrate that we’ve taken a step forward. We must forget the first races and continue on this line. We made it into sixth and finished ninth in a race that was very hard with so much heat. At first Zarco passed me aggressively in the chicane, he pushed me out and I lost contact with the group. It's a shame because if we had been there we could have done a little more. But we are getting closer, we are more competitive and I am adapting more to this bike. It's costing me a lot and that's why pushing so hard away from the track to keep improving. In the last races we were already better, we couldn’t confirm it, but now we’ve finally got back on track. Now we have to continue this way in Assen and Sachsenring."