Spain’s Hector Barbera will make his Bennetts British Superbike Championship debut at Donington Park next weekend (May 24/25/26) as the former MotoGP rider lines up for the Quattro Plant – JG Speedfit Kawasaki team, deputising for Ben Currie who is recovering from injury.

Barbera arrives in the championship with a wealth of experience as a race winner in both the 125cc and 250cc World Championship Grand Prix classes, finishing second in the 2009 250cc GP title battle. He later moved to the premier MotoGP championship where he was the 2015 Open class champion.

The Spanish rider also has good memories of the Donington Park circuit from his time in Grand Prix racing; beating Andrea Dovizioso to the race win there in the 2003 125cc GP race.

Barbera’s Bennetts BSB debut at the triple-header round follows appearances in the Supersport World Championship and most recently in the Superbike World Championship rounds at Assen and Imola with the Orelac Racing VerdNatura Kawasaki team.

Barbera said: “I am very happy to have this opportunity and it is incredible to be racing at Donington Park because I won my first race there so I have good memories of the circuit. I want to thank Pete Extance and the Quattro Plant – JG Speedfit Kawasaki team for this chance to race in BSB.”

Team Owner Pete Extance commented: “I’m looking forward to welcoming Hector Barbera to the team. He has a wealth of experience on many machines, including lately the ZX10RR in the World Championship. Donington Park is a track he knows well and he will hopefully put on a good show for the team and all of the BSB fans. Ben Currie is recovering well after surgery this week and will be back on his bike when fully fit.”

Watch the racing live on free to air Quest HD, Eurosport 2 and Eurosport.com - check the homepage for the latest listings