Alvaro Bautista has regained his status as a leading WSBK rider since reconnecting with a Ducati factory that brought him from MotoGP. After two years spent at Honda being well paid but sportingly poor, the Spaniard also found a place in the ranks of Borgo Panigale with whom he has already renewed for the next season. Current leader in the title race, he has known since 2019 what not to do to spoil everything, especially against the two formidable opponents who are Toprak Razgatlioglu and Jonathan Rea. But Bautista also knows that the first victory is to be boss at home and speaking of a popular Danilo Petrucci within a brand that does not rule out his arrival in the WSBK project, he marks his territory...
Between Danilo Petrucci et Ducati, there is an emotional bond that goes beyond the simple fact of being of the same nationality. Petrux returned to the Borgo Panigale clan after a break KTM which led him to do the Dakar Rally. It represents the brand in MotoAmerica and as we are talking about Ducati Panigale V4R, the connection with the WSBK is natural. An association to which Alvaro Bautista obviously wants to put an end to it…
Because the rumor is in fact that the double winner in MotoGP with the Desmosedici could regain the status of international rider by joining the official team Ducati in WSBK. Baptist says what he thinks about it InSella.it, and it ruins the atmosphere for possible reunions… “ Honestly, I am very happy with Michael Rinaldi » points out the Spaniard about his current teammate who would be in the hot seat. “ On the track everyone wants to beat each other, but outside we have a very good relationship, we are a very strong team. Then I'm the oldest in Superbike and he's young, so Ducati has the experience on one side and the enthusiasm of a young age on the other.. He deserves to stay in this team, we make a good couple, he progresses race after race ».
Alvaro Bautista: “ I prefer Michael Rinaldi to stay because we are the same height and build«
Then it comes to the case Danilo Petrucci : " he has already raced in this championship, in Superstock and he is having a good season in MotoAmerica: he does not know the tracks and yet goes very fast. It could be strong here too ". But he concludes: “ to be honest, thinking of myself, I prefer Michael Rinaldi to stay because we are the same height and build. So the team all works together in the same direction ».
One last interesting mention because it highlights an aspect of recruitingAlvaro Bautista en lieu and in place of Scott Redding, larger and heavier, which was previously denied. An admission that will make the Englishman smile now at BMW, but who could upset Danilo Petrucci. In any case, Baptist just alerted Ducati on a sensitive point which could count in future decisions…
