MotoGP: Hector Barberà returns to the saddle at Misano

Hector Barberà, rider of the Ducati Pramac Team, will return to the saddle at Misano, the scene of the thirteenth round of the 2012 world championship. The Spaniard, who had fractured his tibia and fibula on the eve of Laguna Seca, then got back on his Desmosedici in the Indianapolis tests, where, however, a bad high-side had caused injuries to his vertebrae which prevented him from running. He was then replaced by his compatriot Toni Elias, who however gave him back the "saddle" on the occasion of the San Marino Grand Prix and the Rimini Riviera.

Before the race he will participate together with the other riders in the tribute to the late Marco Simoncelli, while from Friday he will return to focus on the bike and the free practice sessions. In the general classification he is eleventh with 60 points, preceded by six points by Ben Spies, who will most likely be the next Ducati Junior Team rider together with our Andrea Iannone.

“I'm happy to be back on my Ducati on a track I'm very attached to, like the Misano World Circuit. In 2009 I won and I also got on this podium on other occasions during my career in the minor classes – said Barberà – Obviously this year is a different situation. Getting on the bike after many weeks of inactivity won't be easy, but I've worked hard to be able to get back and I'm very motivated. I actually felt ready for Indy too, but I was a victim of bad luck and nothing could be done about it. The small fracture in my vertebra slowed down my active physiotherapy work, due to the rest I was forced to take. But I still continued to do a lot of passive rehabilitation and my efforts gave excellent results. Now I just want Friday to arrive, to enter the garage, have the briefing with the mechanics, put on my helmet and get on my Ducati. I have to say thanks to a lot of people: to my team, to the sponsors, to the doctors and physiotherapists with whom I have worked in recent weeks and also thanks to Toni Elias, who has always been available."