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Adrian Huertas is the leader of the SuperSport World Championship and, after today, his lead in the Championship has grown +37 points over Yari Montella. His talent is obvious to all, to the extent that he won the title in the SuperSport 300, and then astonished everyone again as a rookie in the SSP with MTM's Kawasaki.
His performance didn't go unnoticed by Aruba. In fact, they put him on the Panigale V2 in place of Nicolò Bulega. The Spanish rider has a contract with Stefano Cecconi for one year, with an option for the second (2025). However, there's a clause in the contract: if he wins the SSP, Aruba could promote him to the SBK. Obviously, the option is in Aruba's favor.
The fact remains that, if Huertas ever enters the SBK next year, he'd be dealing with the ballast right away, just like Bautista is doing now.
The issue regarding the bike+rider weight limit calls for a minimum of 80 kg. With his suit, Alvaro weighs 68 kg. Consequently, the much-discussed 6kg were applied. Huertas, on the other hand, weighs approximately 73 kg (obviously, weight can vary from race to race). So, under current regulations, the Spanish rider would start the Championship with a ballast of about 4kg.
The question is, therefore, one: does it make sense, and is it fair to apply extra weight to a rookie at his first experience in the SBK, without him even knowing the bike?
This is one of the points which Dorna and the FIM, as well as the manufacturers, will have to question themselves on for the future. Alvaro is currently paying the price while, in the future, it could be a rider who has never seen a Superbike.
