After an extraordinary start to the 2019 season, Álvaro Bautista gradually moved up the Superbike World Championship standings and had to leave the title to Johnny Rea. This year, the Honda Racing Corporation recruited him and made no secret of his ambitious goals by presenting its 2020 team on home soil in Japan.
“This is a very special moment for me, explained the Spanish pilot. It's great that I can participate in this project. I'm also happy to be able to be here in person because Japanese fans always show me a lot of love. »
“The project is well positioned and we are looking forward to the first race. At the same time, we know it will be difficult because we have to develop a completely new bike. But I am convinced that with Honda we will achieve our goals – and they are victories. »
“I love this bike, it’s beautiful. I was very impressed with the power. When I first rode the bike, I immediately felt the enormous performance of the engine. »
“We definitely need to improve in many areas, but the engine power is there. Our team is completely new and it is not easy to make everything work from the start, we still need to get to know each other properly. But the first impression was very good, everyone knows what to do. »
On Monday and Tuesday next week, the final preparatory test will take place at Phillip Island, and the following weekend the first meeting of the season will take place at the same venue.
“I at least know the bike and the team now, so we have the opportunity to take another step forward in the last test before the season opener. We have to try to improve the feeling on the bike. »
“Anyway, I'm looking forward to the two days of testing because I love the Phillip Island track. I won three races there in 2019. I'm sure the track will suit me too with the Honda. Léon (Haslam) and I will try to do some decent races. We will also try to win. »
Behind the scenes of the team presentation:
If you missed the official presentation…
Photos © HRC
Source: Speedweek. com
