Alvaro Bautista had warned during the off-season: with this GP16 and within an Aspar team with which he enjoyed the glory of a title in the 125cc era, he would be considered a serious candidate for the top 5.
A prospect which did not appear obvious during the first meeting in Qatar marked by a thirteenth place at the end of qualifying and a retirement in the race. In Argentina, tenth place on the grid, on the other hand, was transformed into fourth position under the checkered flag. Enough to give credit to the 32-year-old rider, the oldest on the MotoGP field after Valentino Rossi.
During his career, Baptist played twice in a factory team. At Suzuki first, then at Aprilia. He was also considered a key element at Honda. But it is with this very private GP16 within Jorge Martinez's satellite team that he seems to be most comfortable. On MotoGP.com he explains what seems to be a paradox: “Having been a factory rider for Suzuki and Aprilia helps you tune a bike, even if sometimes it's not very clear which way to go. On satellite Hondas or Ducatis, the bases are better ».
The Spaniard therefore seems to be an expert in the art of preparing leftovers: “ I recognize that this Ducati is the one that best suits my riding style ". So, there is no reason to be surprised by his good fourth place at Termas de Rio Hondo. His first top 5 since the 2014 French Grand Prix: “ I am in the place I should be, the place I have been in the past, the place I would like to be in the future. In Argentina, I even think that I could have fought for the podium given the pace I had, especially during the final part of the race ».
So what can the teammate have in store for us? Karel Abraham this weekend in Austin? “ It is a different track than Termas de Rio Hondo. But we will work hard to find the same sensations there and play the top5 again. Austin has acceleration zones but also a part with sequences. It won't be easy to find the ideal settings. Compromises will have to be made ».
Last year, on the GP16, Andrea Dovizioso had qualified sixth before being caught in the race by Dani Pedrosa. Andrea Iannone, on the other hand, was on the podium. Alvaro Bautista is currently ninth in the championship with the 13 points scored in Argentina.
