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As cheerful, outspoken, direct, and transparent as ever: Alvaro Bautista showed up at the start of World Superbike in a different position than he was used to. In the past two years, he arrived at Phillip Island as the rider to beat. Now he's called upon to chase the competition.
But Alvaro is still confident and aware, since the script has yet to be written and he intends to get back up there in front of everyone. We talked about this, and much more, with the Spanish champion on the eve of the Australian round.
"I'm coming to this race with good feelings, which I haven't felt in a long time," Bautista began. "I'm not at my best. In fact, I'm not thinking about winning or setting a specific goal. But I'm calm, carefree, without feeling pressured. I didn't feel right last year, both physically and with the Ducati. Now I'm more relaxed, free of thoughts. I've tried to reset in this period, not thinking about the past, but living the day to the fullest."
Every year, when we arrive at Phillip Island, we wonder if this will be your last season or not.
"Unfortunately, I can't tell you whether I'll retire or continue, because even I don't know right now. What I do know is that I want to ride, to have fun, knowing that I can recuperate those feelings of the past after a complicated 2024. The future? For now, nothing is clear. I definitely would like to be competitive and race with the new Panigale V4 before I stop. I finally raced with the first V4 in 2019, and I'd like to try the sister of this bike, which will arrive next year."
The new Panigale is no small breakthrough for Ducati.
"Of course! The change is big, and I'd like to test it on the track in the SBK format. I tried the street bike at WDW and the feeling was great compared to the current V4."
Have you thought about a possible deadline to decide whether to continue or stop?
"No, I don't have a deadline, much less want to set a day. I have to feel it inside, whether to continue or not, without being influenced by a certain result or not."
Alvaro, is it true that in 2019 you could've been Dovi's partner in the MotoGP in the factory team?
"Yes, I confirm! After replacing Lorenzo in Australia, Gigi didn't want me to go to the Superbike anymore in 2019. In fact, he tried to place Petrucci in the SBK instead of me. The fact is that there was already a signed contract and, as a result, I arrived in this paddock. In the end, it was destiny."
In 2019, the Ducati V4 was Bautista's bike. Now it's the bike for everyone. Do you agree?
"The bike matters but, at the same time, the rider matters. It's a bike that you have to know how to ride and understand. I don't think this bike is made for everyone. Bulega came in and won, the same goes for Iannone and Petrucci. Chaz Davies, on the other hand, who's used to the V2, struggled. Redding tried, but not having a certain kind of experience, like maybe the MotoGP can be, he couldn't win."
You mentioned Scott. According to him, the mistake was to focus on speed on straights.
"If they take away my wheels, I'll struggle even more," he said, smiling. "I don't doubt that being light means I have advantages but, at the same time, I have a lot of disadvantages, such as in long turns and changes in direction. In the end, this is my size, and I can't help it, because I was born that way. Regarding Scott, however, I don't understand the fact that he always wants to penalize others instead of thinking about improving himself."
Why didn't you decide to retire as a winner after the second World Championship?
"Very simple. Because, for me, the bike is a drug, In fact, I enjoy it and have fun. I don't feel like sitting at home on the couch watching other people if I like something."
Who'll be your heir on the Panigale?
"To tell you the truth, I don't know, partly because I don't know if a MotoGP rider would want to come to this paddock. That said, I don't care who my successor will be."
