Ahead of curtain raiser in Jerez
Team Fortuna Aprilia, headed by Jorge Lorenzo and Héctor Barberá, head into the opening round of the 250cc World Championship at the Jerez de la Frontera circuit in high spirits this weekend.

In preparation for the Spanish Grand Prix the two riders were in Milan (Italy) today for the ‘Race Me` party organised by Aprilia, as they made an official presentation of their racing plans for 2006. Lorenzo and Barberá will be the main focus of the factory`s attack on the quarter-litre class, with Team Fortuna Aprilia benefiting from full official support.

After an impressive preseason for both riders, the opening race of the series is the true acid test for the team run by Dani Amatriaín. "Our potential is very high but we have to show that on the track at every race," commented Amatriaín. "Our philosophy is to combine talent with hard work and if we are capable of achieving that then we can aspire to the very highest peak."

Jorge Lorenzo : "I am very excited and I think we are ready to tackle the first race of 2006 with confidence. The preseason in general was satisfactory but it counts for little when the moment of truth arrives. I`m looking forward to seeing my rivals on the track, in the same weather conditions and at the same time, to see exactly where we are and what our limits are. I have every confidence in my own ability and the potential of my team because it is always an advantage to lead a factory project. It will be tough to be at the front but the responsibility does not unnerve me. I would like to start the year with a victory at Jerez in front of the Spanish fans and I have to admit I don`t know how I would react or celebrate if I did it. I`m sure it would be a fantastic moment so now I want to stop dreaming and make it a reality."



Hector Barbera : "I feel very motivated and ready to start racing. Jerez is always a special Grand Prix and I just hope that things go well for me from the first session, so that we can work calmly, and that the weather is on our side. I`m arriving at the start of a season in better shape than ever before because in the past I always seem to have had some problems or not much testing behind me. Now I feel good, confident and ready to give the best of myself from Friday onwards. It is hard to stay calm when such an important season is only hours away, although our performance during preseason gives us a margin of tranquillity. My objective is to be amongst the top three all season but I have to prove that on the track. Racing at home in front of more than 100,000 fans is always special and for me it is more of a motivation than an added pressure. I`ve had some good results in Spain in the past and I hope this continues in Jerez."

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