With two weekends left in the 2025 Superbike World Championship, Alvaro Bautista's career as a Ducati factory rider is drawing to a close. The Spaniard, who rode for the Aruba team in 2019 and again from 2022 to 2025, won two world titles and celebrated 63 victories with the team led by Stefano Cecconi.
But after the season finale at Jerez, a new chapter will open for him: Baptist will remain faithful to Ducati, but will join the team Barni by Marco Barnabò.
At Barni-Ducati, Bautista will benefit from identical equipment to that of the two factory riders Nicolo Bulega et Iker Lecuona. Ducati has promised full support: engineers, technical development and participation in the development of the bike. This is a crucial point, because Ducati will align in 2026 the new Panigale V4R, and the experience of Baptist will be precious.
« Yes, I spoke a lot with Gigi (Dall'Igna) and Zambenedetti, they confirmed to me that I will benefit from the support of the factory ", Explain Baptist. " It's important for them too: the more riders try the new parts, the better for Ducati. I will have the same treatment as an official pilot, but in a different team »
« In terms of equipment and engineers, I will be at the same level as the factory riders. This was essential for me, because I don't go to Barni just to fill a box. If I make this choice, it is because Ducati has guaranteed me total support. »
Baptist maintains a long friendship with Luigi “Gigi” Dall'Igna, the boss of Ducati CorseThe two men have known each other since the 2000s, when Baptist raced in 125 cc and 250 cc and that Dall'Igna worked at ApriliaThe Spaniard was 125 world champion in 2006 and won 16 Grand Prix with the Italian brand.
Today aged 40 years, Bautista knows that he can still have an impact in the championship: " Gigi confirmed to me: “OK, you will have all our support.” If I beat the factory riders, it will only be because I would have been better »
Alvaro Bautista: “ Martin proved that a satellite team can win with the right support. I want to replicate that. »
He draws a parallel with the 2024 MotoGP, where George Martin had won the title on a Ducati satellite : " Martin proved that a satellite team can win with the right support. I want to replicate that. »
The signing of Baptist is a major event for Barni, which has been fielding solid drivers for years but never a former world champion WSBK.
« It will be very important for them: they will finally have the opportunity to play in the championship. For Aruba, it's a season like any other, but For Barni, this is a historic year ", compare Baptist.
« And they are extremely motivated. Barnabò often calls me: “We have to do this, we have to do that.” I like that a lot: we feel that they want to progress, that they believe in it »
After four seasons in Aruba, Baptist sees this change as a personal renewal:
« Sometimes a change is positive. I feel strong, enthusiastic, and that motivates me even more. I feel like I'm starting from scratch, like a young pilot. If I stayed in the same environment, it would always be the same: same faces, same processes. There, everything will be different, and it gives a real boost. »
November 21, Alvaro Bautista will celebrate its 41 years, but retirement is not on the agenda: " I read that the regulation set the maximum age at 50 years. Well, that leaves me nine years! " he jokes.
« Honestly, age is just a number. What matters is the mind and the physical condition. And both are excellent. I am competitive, I can aim for victories. As long as that is the case, I will continue, because It's what I love most in the world. » Proof that even at 41 years, a champion remains a valuable asset when he combines talent and experience. The 2026 season promises to be the beginning of an exciting new chapter for the Spaniard.
