WSBK World Champion Alvaro Bautista: “Jonathan and Toprak are two incredibly strong riders who could also be ahead in MotoGP”

At 37 years old, and for his second attempt on a Ducati after a failed first in 2019, Alvaro Bautista became World Superbike Champion. It brings a new crown to the Borgo Panigale factory which, a week ago, was crowned in MotoGP with Pecco Bagnaia. The Italian brand is having a perfect season, winning everything in its path and cleaning up its data. The Grand Prix crown was in fact expected since the Stoner era in 2007 and that of WSBK since 2011 with the commando Carlos Checa. In 2022, the two consecrations arrived in the same season. A faultless one? A small black spot is still detected on this beautiful red picture: in Supersport, Ducati is for the moment the only new manufacturer not to have yet experienced victory, unlike Triumph and MV Agusta...

This failure in the category is a fact but will certainly not spoil the great celebration and the feeling of duty accomplished at Ducati. A week after third place in Pecco Bagnaia at the Valencia Grand Prix, synonymous with a MotoGP title, Alvaro Bautista, with second place in the second Superbike race in Indonesia, was crowned World Champion in WSBK. During the penultimate race weekend of the 2022 Superbike World Championship, 2nd, 4th and 2nd places were enough for the Spaniard to win the championship.

« I can't find the words, I'm just happy“, stammers the pilot of 37 years. “ After two difficult years, Ducati believed in me and they gave me the chance to come back to them and try again for the title. I tried to get the best possible results throughout the season and not make any mistakes. With Toprak and Jonathan I had two opponents who performed at the highest level in all races. Fortunately, I made fewer mistakes than them, so consistency was also important."

The official Kawasaki Jonathan Rhea was the main opponent of Baptist in the first half of the season, but the Yamaha rider Toprak Razgatlioglu took over in the second half. “ I'm happy that I was able to beat Jonathan as a six-time world champion and Toprak as a champion“, underlined the winner to 14 repeats of the season. “ This, and the fact that records were set on each circuit, shows that our level is very high this season. Now we can enjoy the moment and think about the season."

Alvaro Bautista: “ I am overjoyed and I want to thank everyone in the team, those around me and my family, whom I love more than anything« 

He adds : " In the second race it was the first time I felt the pressure. It was up to me to make the decision. I had a clear mind in the battle for positions, but when I was leading the race I started to think about it and made mistakes“, said the pilot Ducati. " Then Toprak passed me and I was able to keep Jonathan at bay. I am overjoyed and I want to thank everyone in the team, those around me and my family, whom I love more than anything."

Eleven years later Carlos Checa, Baptist is only the second Spaniard to win the world championship reserved for motorcycles from the series: “ I am very proud of this title, even if the Superbike World Championship in Spain is not the most important", Assured Baptist. “ When Carlos won the title in 2011, I still remember clearly that many people thought that the World Superbike Championship was the second category. Then when I entered this paddock, I realized that it was not better or worse, but from a different category. I think now more people in Spain will follow the Superbike World Championship.” And he ends with this tribute: “ Jonathan and Toprak are two incredibly strong riders who could also be at the forefront of MotoGP with their skills ».

WSBK championship ranking after Mandalika: