Hector Barberá
Number: 8
Place of birth: Valencia
Date of birth: 02/Nov/1986
Weight: 53 kg
Height: 168 cm
Hector Barbera began his World Championship career as a 15 year old in 2002, under the guidance of Jorge Martinez ‘Aspar’, who teamed him and fellow youngster Angel Rodriguez up with the experienced Pablo Nieto. In his first season Barbera established himself as the most promising rider of the three and in 2003 he broke through, with his first victory at Donington Park making him one of the youngest riders ever to win a Grand Prix. A strong finish to the season saw him take third place in the championship and he signed up for a title challenge with Seedorf Racing in 2003.
Several inopportune crashes and mechanical failures derailed his hopes but victory in the final race secured the runner-up spot and a factory ride with Fortuna Honda in the 250cc class for 2005. After two years with the team he moved to Team Toth for 2007 and five podium finishes saw him finish the year fifth in the championship. Staying with the same team in 2008 and with an official Aprilia RSA at his disposal Barbera was one of the candidates for the title, but he finished fourth in the final standings after a serious back injury sustained in Indianapolis cut his season short.
The Spaniard returned in 2009 with the newly formed Pepe World Pons WRB team, alongside compatriot and 250cc debutant Axel Pons, the son of team boss and double 250cc World Champion Sito Pons. He completed the final season of the 250cc category as runner-up in the Championship after winning three races along with five other podium results. Jorge ‘Aspar’ Martinez placed his faith in Barberá as the sole entry on his new MotoGP team in 2010, and was repaid with a diligent first year from the rookie in which he scored points at every round but one with a best result of eighth at both the Le Mans and Valencia rounds.
The Valencian rider continued on the Desmosedici of the Aspar Team in 2011, improving his best result with a sixth in Jerez. A move in 2012 to the Pramac Racing Team has the Spaniard still aboard Ducati machinery, though with a larger engine capacity following the rule changes and with an Italian team for his new adventure.
Source: motogp.com
