With the difficult circumstances of Friday, Free Practice 3 became the only session to decide passage into Q2. Hector Barbera (Avintia Racing) set the 13th fastest time and had to do battle in Q1, a 1’44.494 saw him top the session and move into Q2. His first run in the second 15 minute session was cut short and Barbera headed out for one last run. He improved his time to a 1’44.322 and will lead the second row of the grid on Sunday, only 0.015s off his second premier class front row.
"I want to dedicate this result to my friend Luis Salom and his family"This sees Barbera return to the front two rows of the MotoGP™ World Championship grid for the first time since the Italian GP in 2012 when he started in third. Not only was Barbera the leading Independent Team rider, but he was also four places ahead of the next Ducati, Andrea Iannone (Ducati Team) who was eighth. The result comes as a remarkable turn around from Mugello where Barbera felt he and the team had reached the limit of the GP14.2.
Hector Barbera: “I’m Very happy, I think we've done a good job all day and although we weren’t able to get to Q2 on the first attempt, I tried to give the maximum in Q1 and I found I was comfortable and confident. I had it all quite clear, I knew where I could push to cut time and we have achieved this fantastic fourth place. We have greatly improved the bike during the weekend and to start from the second row is incredible for me, for the team and all the sponsors. I want to dedicate this result to my friend Luis Salom and his family, we are all broken and tomorrow hope to make a great career in his honor. ”