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Alvaro Bautista returns to WDW with as many as two more SBK world titles under his belt. By now he is one of the idols of Ducati fans and even if he is suffering slightly this season for a whole series of reasons, he was literally stormed by the many fans who wanted to have their picture taken with Alvaro or wanted an autograph. His future in Red has not yet been defined, but after the Most round the Spaniard at least made it known that he wants to continue this adventure in SBK rather than retire.
Bautista does not want to stop after a season like this, in which the results obtained do not live up to the expectations he first set for himself. In the Misano paddocks, we exchanged a few comments with the Spaniard after the Race of Champions qualifying.
The difference from last WDW is two SBK world titles, no small feat!
"No, let's say it's not little!"
Nice to see all the love of the Ducatista people for you here.
"It's a bit of chaos here, there are so many people and obviously everyone wants a picture, an autograph. Clearly I feel very important for the Ducati family, because we brought home two world titles and I feel more loved than two years ago. I am very happy because especially this year that maybe the results are not what we all would have liked, people still support me. It's incredible, they push me on with so much cheering, they give me strength and that's the really special thing. When they come it's all easy, but when the results are not what you would like, that's when you really see the support. I feel proud of how they love me here."
You surprised everyone with your Most declaration : you want to continue. Some people thought you would stop racing.
"Honestly, stopping was an option. Because as I said, I feel proud of my career and I'm happy with the way it is. But I don't know...inside I feel that the flame is still burning, it doesn't show signs of going out. Even more so this year that we are struggling. I feel it though, I feel I can be very competitive again. Especially in Most we found an important solution that helped me regain confidence with the bike. I think between now and the end of the year we can fight at the front. I feel like continuing because I feel good physically, I feel good mentally. Why stay at home? I still have a lot to enjoy."
In 2002 Bayliss seemed destined to dominate the world championship, then Edwards edged him out at the end of the season. Do you think you can beat Toprak?
"I honestly see it as being tough. The gap is very wide, I don't think we are fighting for the world championship today. We just have to keep working on the bike, find certain sensations, and that's it. Then races are special, anything can happen. Never say never. We will do our work to the best of our ability, then we will see what happens."
Nice new Panigale V4, too bad it will come to SBK in 2026...
"Yes, they did it to make me stay two more years! It's a really good bike. Too bad the road bike for my size is always a little big, in some corners I struggle with my arms, the footpegs are low so I struggle to go fast on it. I think it's a better bike than the current version of the V4, though. They have done an incredible job in Ducati, I would like to ride the SBK version, however I would have to wait until 2026 and I don't know. We have to finish 2024 well in the meantime, then find a deal for 2025 and then maybe see. I had fun already in Misano with the Panigale 2025, though."
