Barbera back in at Quattro Plant JG Speedfit Kawasaki for Thruxton

Former MotoGP rider Hector Barbera has been called up again by the Quattro Plant JG Speedfit Kawasaki team for the upcoming Bennetts British Superbike championship round at Thruxton following the departure of Glenn Irwin.

Barbera, who stood in for Irwin at last weekend’s Snetterton round while he was out with an eye injury, will make his fourth round outing in BSB this season for the Kawasaki squad having made his series debut at Donington Park earlier this season filling in for Ben Currie.

With Thruxton acting as another new circuit for the Spanish rider, he expects another step learning curve but is hopeful of producing more impressive results having claimed an eye-catching seventh place finish in race two on his Snetterton debut last time out.

“After learning more about the bike at Snetterton I am very excited to be asked to ride at Thruxton,” Barbera said. “It’s another new circuit, which I am really looking forward to.

“The BSB fans are incredible and I just want to put on a good show for them and the team. I need to thank everyone again for this opportunity in BSB.”

Following the mutual split between Irwin and the reigning BSB champions, the team hasn’t officially confirmed if Barbera will act as its full-time replacement rider for the remainder of the campaign.

After his opening three rounds competing in BSB as stand-in, Barbera has picked up a total of 31 championship points – just eight fewer than Irwin in the current riders’ standings.