Alvaro Bautista was poached from Ducati by the Honda factory at the end of 2019 with a view to relaunching his ambition in WSBK. Since then, the results have been awaited. Osmosis with the new CBR triple R is still sought to the point that teammate Leon Haslam seems to be doing better in this regard. This season, we have to show that we have made big progress, but it's off to a bad start with a Spanish driver arriving diminished by an injury that he didn't really reveal during the first test in Catalonia...
Between Honda et Baptist, there is perhaps water in the gas and that is what this start of the season in Aragon will reveal or not. The subject is this injury contracted during motocross training, the extent of which the brand seems to discover a little more every day... Thus, the rider will not be in full possession of his abilities this weekend during the opening of the season. This while his accident dates back to March. “ The injury lasts much longer than a broken bone » regrets the former MotoGP rider.
Just a few days before SBK's only major winter test at the Catalunya circuit at the end of March, Alvaro Bautista had an accident during motocross training. “ When I fell, my chest hit the handlebars », declared Thursday afternoon the 2019 world vice-champion when meeting speedweek in the Aragon paddock. “ I didn't break anything, but all ligaments, tendons and blood vessels have been affected. Healing an injury like this usually takes much longer than a broken bone ».
« Before the Catalunya test, I felt more or less well. It hurt, but it wasn't a big deal. After the first day of testing, I suddenly felt severe pain due to the position on the bike, the movements and the effort. Four days after my fall, perhaps I should have skipped this test. If it had been two weeks later, I would have completely recovered. I actually made the injury worse and now it takes much longer to recover » specifies the Spaniard who apparently had not nothing said about his injury to Honda before the facts bring it to light.
Bautista: “I’m closer to 40 than 30”
Baptist was in a bind: for one thing, it would have taken time for his battered body to recover. On the other hand, he also needed every minute on the Honda to advance the development of the CBR1000RR-R. " I tested in Aragon for a day, then the pain got worse and I stopped “, declared the Spaniard. “ I wanted to be in shape for the races here. In the Aragon test it was much better than in Catalonia ».
The question is no longer whether Baptist will be able to achieve a good result this weekend, but only if he can hold on throughout the meeting... " I think so », assures the pilot of 36 years. “ It's not the same as riding for 45 minutes, then taking a break and riding again for 45 minutes, then you do it again the next day. There you do three or four laps, take a little rest, then do the next four laps. Going on all day was too much for me. Right now, I feel everything: braking, acceleration and every movement. Even in the straight line, every movement stings my chest. I notice now that I'm closer to 40 than 30 ».
Despite his condition, Baptist assess the Honda : " we took a step forward, but I don't know if it will be enough to fight for the podium places from the start. We won't know who is where until the first sessions. Winter testing doesn't say much because the conditions and testing schedules are very different. The first to beat is always the driver with number 1. In Aragon, Estoril and Misano it is easier to see who is where, because the tracks and conditions are not as special as on Phillip Island or Buriram. This corresponds more to reality. After the first three events, we will have an idea of who can challenge for the title » finishes the Spaniard.
