Lift off: Reale Avintia Racing launch the season in style

Andorra stages the team’s 2017 presentation as the season really gets off the ground…

Reale Avintia Racing’s Hector Barbera and Loris Baz recently presented their bikes for the upcoming MotoGP™ season, as the Spaniard and the Frenchman travelled to the Principality of Andorra to the team’s 2017 launch. Barbera is set to ride a Ducati Desmosedici 2016 this season and Baz a 2015, with the new livery for the team revealed in full.

The event took place at the Circuito de Andorra, where press and guests were treated to a spectacular lift off to the season as the Reale Avintia Ducati arrived by helicopter up to the venue, which sits at an altitude of 2500m. Emilio Zamora, rider in the Ducati Stunt Team, also managed to briefly trick the crowd into thinking he was Hector Barbera.

Reale Avintia Racing Launch

During the presentation, the injured Barbera also confirmed that he will not be taking part in the upcoming Qatar test following a recent collarbone break during training in Valencia, instead focusing on getting back up to speed in time for the first race of the season.

Hector Barbera: “The injury came at the worst time, and I won’t be taking part in the next test in Qatar. It doesn’t make sense to run the risk given the first race is so soon – it’s better to recover completely to arrive ready. After the problems we’ve had during preseason this is the worst thing that could have happened, but we have to stay positive because I’ll be ok by the time the Championship starts. The team has been strengthened once again this season with the arrival of Reale alongside Avintia and all the other sponsors, and as always they’ll suport us to the máximum. The presentation was great and the bike looks beautiful. Now all that’s left is for everything to go well from the first race to be able to fight in the top five – or as close as possible.”

Loris Baz: “The team outdoes itself every year with the presentation! Last year I rode on the snow and this year with the arrival in helicopter and Emilio pretending to be Hector was great. The bike looks fantastic with the new colours and I’m looking forward to getting back on it and preparing the first race as best we can. Last year wasn’t how I wanted, but with the new bike I’ve felt good since the first test and I think we can fight for the top ten in a lot of races.”