Avintia Racing unveiled its 2017 MotoGP livery and new title sponsor Reale at a spectacular launch event at an ice circuit in Andorra.
This year marks the Spanish outfit’s third full season as a Ducati customer, with the team once again fielding Frenchman Loris Baz and Spaniard Hector Barbera.
After two encouraging years aboard GP14 machinery, Reale Avintia Racing are expecting big things this season as they will have a Desmosedici GP16 at their disposal on Barbera’s side of the garage, whilst Baz will run the GP15.
2017 will be Barbera’s eighth year in the premier class, though it hasn’t gotten off to the best of starts thanks to a collarbone injury sustained during a training session last week.
The Spaniard will miss this weekend’s final pre-season test at Qatar in order to rest up for the first race, but still has his sights set on a top five result despite heading into the season-opener with a lack of track time on his new bike.
“This injury came in the worst moment for us, and I won’t be able to attend to the next test in Qatar,” he said.
“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 tests 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.”
Team-mate Loris Baz’s second year in the premier class was one fraught with issues, and he failed to deliver on the promise shown in his maiden campaign in 2015.
Mercifully, however, the GP15 seems to have given the Frenchman his confidence back and he heads into the 2017 season aiming for consistent top 10 challenges.
“The team goes further every year with the launch. Last year I had the chance to ride on the snow with my Ducati, and this time the bike coming by helicopter was simply amazing,” said Baz.
“The bike looks great with the new sponsors and I’m looking forward to ride it again next Friday at Qatar test and continue with the positive progress made during the winter test. I felt great from the first time I tried the bike and I think this year we will be able to fight for top 10 results in many races.”
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