The 2017 MotoGP World Championship comes to an end this Sunday at the Ricardo Tormo Circuit. The Grand Prix of Valencia will be the grand finale of an exciting season with Marc Marquez and Andrea Dovizioso fighting for the title.
It will also be a very special weekend for Reale Avintia Racing, since it marks the last race of the team with Hector Barbera and Loris Baz. The Spanish rider was part of Raul Romero’s structure since 2013 and his contribution has been crucial to the growth of the project in the MotoGP class, with great results such as the Open World Championship in 2015 or last year’s ‘top ten’ in the final standings. Baz had joined the team last season and in these two years, he has left his mark with great determination, professionalism and courage.
“Valencia is my home Grand Prix and for me it’s always special to race on the Ricardo Tormo Circuit. This year, it’s even more special because it’s the last race with the team that I’ve raced with in the last five seasons and that has become my family. It will also be my last race in MotoGP and after eight years in this class I look forward to new challenges in Moto2. I have no doubt that it will be a very nice and emotional weekend, but I want to focus on working hard from the first practice on Friday to get ready for Sunday’s race. I want to finish this stage of my career with a good result for my team, for me and for all the sponsors that have been supporting us always. ”
“It’s going to be a special weekend. It will be my last MotoGP race for now, before starting another chapter in my career. Valencia is also special for the team, it’s their home race and that is why I will try to give my best. We will push at the maximum from Friday and our goal is to finish in the ‘top ten’. This goal has become more difficult to achieve with every race, because all the factories improved a lot, especially KTM and Suzuki. But we’ll try. I would like to get a good result to conclude my two-year-partnership with the team on a high note. I have a house near the circuit, so it’s also like a home Grand Prix for me, and I hope I can enjoy this last race. “
