|
| News and products for the motorcycle enthusiast and professional |  |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
|
BARBERA WIN REKINDLES WORLD TITLE HOPES
SPANISH teenager Hector Barbera thrust himself back into contention for the world 125 championship with victory in today’s Portuguese GP. With world championship leader Andrea Dovizioso failing to finish for the first time in 2004, Barbera took full advantage and his third win of the season at the 4.1km Estoril circuit closed the gap to just 20-points with five races remaining. Starting from 10th position, Barbera had to produce another one of his now famous charges through the field. A sluggish opening lap saw him drop to 14th as the pack crossed the line to start lap two. But he was already threatening the leading bunch after setting a new lap record of 1.45.573s on lap four. By the fifth lap Barbera had catapulted himself into the top five and at the end of lap six he’d moved into third position. Three laps later he moved by Mika Kallio to seize second place. Barbera said: “I am very happy with this victory. It was the perfect day for me. Getting the 25 points is always very important but with Dovizioso not finishing, it was even more important today. I don’t like to see riders pull out with problems but sometimes it happens. I would like to thank my team boss Clarence Seedorf for all his support. There is still a lot of work to do but at least we have closed the gap.” Experienced Italian Roberto Locatelli failed to capitalise on Dovizioso’s demise as he finished the 23-lap race in 10th position. Fourth in the early stages, by the end of lap three Locatelli had dropped to 11th. Locatelli looked well placed to grab a crucial haul of points when he found himself in third place on lap 10. A lap later though his podium hopes diminished when he ran off the track, though he somehow managed to recover as he hurtled into the gravel trap. Barbera’s win extended Aprilia’s advantage in the manufacturer standings. Aprilia now has 246 points, a lead of 55 points.
|
|
| Biker247.com is an Internet publication brought to you by The 247 Network - Visit our other sites at www.the247network.com. |
| The entire content included in this website, including but not limited to text, design, graphics, interfaces, or code and the selection and arrangements thereof is copyrighted as a collective work under the UK and other copyright laws and is the property of The 247 Network. |