Bautista Hints at Future in WorldSBK: “Not Fair to End My Career This Way”
Alvaro Bautista, the two-time World Superbike champion, faced a challenging weekend at the Most circuit in the Czech Republic but left with a clear mindset about his future in the World Superbike Championship (WorldSBK). Despite not finishing either of the two Sunday races, Bautista revealed his intention to continue competing and seeking more success in the category.
Challenges in Most
The weekend in Most was tough for Bautista. In the Superpole Race, the Spanish rider was well-positioned to finish in second place, but a slip into the gravel at turn two caused him to crash, compromising his race. In Race 2, Bautista was taken out by Danilo Petrucci on the run to the first corner, which also ended his race prematurely. Despite these setbacks, Bautista managed to extract positive aspects from the weekend.
Rediscovering the Feeling
Bautista stated that despite the disappointing results, he regained the necessary feeling to be competitive on his Ducati Panigale V4 R. “I want to continue,” Bautista said, highlighting that he is in negotiations with Ducati to renew his contract. “It’s not fair to end my career this way. I need to enjoy the bike again and feel strong on it. Especially after this weekend, where things were clearer.”
He emphasized that despite the misfortunes, the weekend at Most was the first time in 2024 where he felt he could ride the bike as he wanted. “We can start from here to improve,” Bautista added, showing optimism for the future.
Intention to Renew
Bautista’s determination to renew his contract with Ducati is clear. “We are speaking with Ducati to renew, and my intention is to do that,” he explained. However, he also acknowledged that the final decision does not rest solely with him. “My main choice is to stay with the same team. But it’s also in Ducati’s hands, so it doesn’t depend 100% on me.”
Looking to the Future
With his renewed confidence and clear purpose, Bautista is focused on improving his performance in upcoming races. His desire to continue competing in WorldSBK and to find the joy in riding his bike again are indicative of his passion and dedication to the sport.
Meanwhile, the WorldSBK season continues with the next round in Portimão, where Bautista hopes to capitalize on his rediscovered feeling and seek better results. His experience and resilience will be crucial in overcoming challenges and continuing his quest for more titles.
Bautista, one of the most talented and experienced riders in WorldSBK, still has much to offer the championship. His decision to continue competing not only excites his fans but also promises to keep the competition intense and thrilling in the upcoming seasons.
