Barbier predicts tough title fight in 2011
"I feel sure that the 2011 championship will be even more exciting than this year's", reflected Barbier last week during the EICMA show in Milan. "I can't wait for it to start because there will be so many points of interest. I think Biaggi will do the same sort of championship he did this year. He'll be very pragmatic as always and will try and repeat his success with his talent, his experience and a constant string of results. He has always raced in that way and for sure he'll be one of the protagonists next year".
But there will be other riders ready to give him a hard time and in Barbier's opinion, the battle for the title will be even tougher.
"Melandri is coming and you will see that some more new names, who haven't raced at the front much in the last couple of seasons, will emerge and get in the top part of the standings. I think that the fight for the title will be even tougher than this season and that once again we'll see a fantastic show".
