The striking deal is done Alex Barros signed for Team Klaffi Honda Alex Barros signed the contract today. The Brazilian rides a Klaffi Honda Fireblade in World’s Superbike Championship 2006. After the signature was done Alex gave his opinion concerning his new team and the season 2006. Alex, what was the determining factor for you to change from MotoGP to SBK? Well, end of last year I had several offers to stay in the GP. But all of these different possibilities were not so attractive for me and my career. I want to fight for the title and in World’s Superbike Championship I have a real chance to do it. Honda and the Klaffi Honda Team offer perfect conditions to me. Do you think SBK may become as popular as MotoGP during the next years? The ambience is terrific and the competition is on a top level. So with some efforts concerning promotion and tv-coverage it may be possible. What are your first impressions of the Team Klaffi Honda? Everything looks very professional. They are one of supported teams from Honda Europe and I trust in them . Do you think it will be a big difference to ride a Superbike after all these years in MotoGP? In 2002 I had my last ride with a Superbike. This was in 2002 at Suzuka where I finished third in Endurance. So this is not so long ago. The CBR 1000 RR is new for me. But if we all work together we will manage it. The most challenging thing will be the change of the tyres, because I have no experience with Pirelli. Also some of the tracks are new for me. I’ll ride this year for the first time at Brands Hatch, EuroSpeedway Lausitzring and at the new course of Silverstone. Your personal target for SBK 2006? My target is to fight for title and have fun! Which will be your most important competitors? Personally I know only a few of the other riders. For sure Troy Corser will be very tough. And don’t forget Haga, Bayliss and Ruben Xaus. You signed the contract finally now? Yes and we did it in a record time. We started in November 2005 with our discussions. At this time most of the deals were already fixed and Honda Europe helped me to find the best solution with Team Klaffi Honda. You have only three days for tests in advance. What do you think about the start of the season? This is not so perfect. But I have to accept these conditions. I only concentrate to do all my best. Here we go! Team Manager Klaus Klaffenböck: This is a sensational deal for our team. Alex was always on the top of my wish list for 2006. He has a lot of experience and aggressiveness to cheer up his competitors in World’s Superbike Championship. Now that the contract is signed we still have a lot of work and we are a little bit pressed for time. Our target is to give the best material and all our support to Alex. His Klaffi Honda Fireblade will be one of the best and fastest bikes of the whole Championship. More, from a press release issued by FGSport Group: ALEX BARROS JOINS HONDA FOR THE 2006 WSBK™ The prestigious Brazilian Alex Barros will be riding a Honda 1000 CBR RR Fireblade for the Austrian team Klaffi Honda in the 2006 SBK Superbike World championship®. Born in São Paulo on the 18th October 1970, Barros’ career began on the Suzuka circuit in 1990. Since then he has recorded a total of 7 wins and 31 podium places. Famous for his last minute braking, in 2005 Barros was one of the very few riders to beat Valentino Rossi (when he won the Portuguese GP). He is married with three children and lives in a Barcelona. Barros’ arrival in SBK™ proves just how dynamic SBK Superbike World championship® is, and comes after discussions between the rider himself, Honda Europe and FGSport®. Accompanied by Carlo Fiorani, Honda Europe’s racing manager, Alex Barros met representatives of the press today at Honda’s European headquarters. He was happy to answer questions and pose for photos as usual, and declared himself fully satisfied with the outcome of negotiations. Alex Barros told reporters “I am delighted to be able to accept this new challenge, and to carry on riding for Honda too, on a CBR 1000 RR Fireblade this time. We reached agreement in record time, thanks to the close cooperation and hard work of Honda Europe, Team Klaffi Honda, the Flammini Group and our sponsors. I feel confident that I can play a leading role in WSBK™.” Carlo Fiorani, racing manager for Honda Europe, told us “We are really delighted to have Alex Barros riding for Klaffi Honda. With the support of Honda Europe and Klaus Klaffenboch’s excellent team, I am sure that Alex and the new CBR 1000 RR will delight SBK™ fans, as he has done for many years in moto GP. I wish him and the team all the best and every success in the coming championship.” Paolo Alberto Flammini, managing director of FGSport® declared “We are really happy to welcome Alex Barros into WSBK™. There can be no doubts as to his ability. Alex has already shown how competitive he can be on a superbike, so we can be certain that his arrival will make the SBK Superbike Championship® more exciting than ever and turn 2006 into one of the best seasons in the competition’s history. Alex’s popularity at home will also boost the number of people following SBK Superbike World Championship® in South America. We all wish Alex and Honda lots of luck for this new adventure.”