In what seems like minutes after Hector Barbera split with the Toth WorldSSP team under mysterious circumstances, the former Moto2 champion has parachuted in to Orelac Kawasaki as a replacement for the injured Tati Mercado.
Barbera failed to make the grid for Sunday's race in Spain with increasingly wild rumours as to why. Many made reference to Barbera's bike vanishing overnight with the rider doing exactly the same thing.
However, it was announced this morning he would stand in for Mercado, who broke his scaphoid in a crash at Aragon. The two events may well be connected.
“It’s unfortunate to get this opportunity due to another colleague’s injury, all my thoughts go out to Tati and I wish him a speedy recovery," said Barbera.
"I’m going to give everything for Orelac Racing VerdNautra, they are fully prepared. I think that WorldSBK is my category. The team ticks the right boxes and I’m more than ready.
"Life sometimes gives you an opportunity like this and I want to make the most of it. Thank you to Jose and Nacho Calero because they made this possible, I want to pay back their trust with a good result.
Mercado will undergo surgery tomorrow.
