MotoGP: Barbera out of Qatar test

Reale Avintia Ducati rider Hector Barbera will not take part in this week’s final MotoGP pre-season test in Qatar, as he continues to recover from a broken collarbone sustained last week while training at Valencia’s Circuit Ricardo Tormo.

He underwent successful surgery to mend the break immediately with MotoGP’s go-to surgeon Doctor Xavier Mir, but despite that he confirmed yesterday at the team’s Andorran season launch that he’ll sit out this week’s test.

“This injury came in the worst moment for us, and I won’t be able to attend to the next test in Qatar. It has no sense to risk before the first race and the best decision is to stay at home and work hard to be completely fit for the first race. To be honest, after all the issues we had during the first two test this injury was a big problem for us, but we have to be positive, because I’ll be totally fit when the championship starts.

“The team has been reinforced with Reale, and together with Avintia and all the sponsors they will be supporting us to get the best. The team launch was amazing and the bike is beautiful. Now we have to be ready from the first race and to fight for the top five, or at least be closer to this positions.”

However, the injury wasn’t enough to stop him making an appearance on track at the launch (with some subterfuge) as Ducati stunt rider Emilio Zamora sneaked onto Andorra’s ice racing track in his leathers during the launch event.

The Spaniard is hoping to be back in action in time for the first race of the year, two weeks after the test, which gets underway on Friday.