German GP: Team Aspar race report

The Paginas Amarillas Aspar rider achieved ninth place in Germany ahead of his debut visit to Laguna Seca.

Hector Barbera did his bit for Spanish pride in the German round of the MotoGP World Championship, starting from the second row of the grid and storming out of the blocks. The Paginas Amarillas Aspar rider took off like a rocket in the first part of the race, but did not begin the restart in the same manner. After finally passing Marco Melandri, Barbera had a solo ride to the line to finish ninth. The third best qualified Ducati - behind factory riders Casey Stoner and Nicky Hayden - the rookie was also the third Spaniard past the flag as he took another top ten before racing at Laguna Seca for the first time this weekend.

Hector Barbera

"I was really up for the first race, as I know that I am a good starter. Suddenly I found myself in third -- today I was really able to see how much easier things are when you start from higher up on the grid. I was trying to find my pace just as the race was red flagged and it took away my focus a little. I didn't start as well in the second race and was slowed down until I was able to pass Melandri, as this track is difficult for overtaking. I was feeling comfortable riding and on one hand I'm happy with the step forward that we took. On the other hand, I was five seconds off fifth place and could have been closer. I feel good about the race, which went by very quickly; when I looked to the Pit board for information I saw that there was only one lap left. That was because I was having so much fun. It's the closest that I have come to the race winner, but I can't afford to drop my guard just yet."

-source: Paginas Amarillas Aspar