By Mónica Collantes Fernández / Motosan
During this period of confinement, Álvaro Bautista is facing long weeks at home, and the new Honda project he has embarked on still seems distant at a time when no date for the resumption of the championship can yet be announced.
The spread of the coronavirus has put everyone on the same level: that of confinement and waiting. Alvaro Bautista is obviously no exception to the rule and spends his days at home, in Talavera de la Reina.
Unlike MotoGP, the Superbike World Championship was able to hold its first round, in Australia. The Spanish rider thus competed in his first races aboard the Honda, but due to the postponement of all upcoming rounds due to the pandemic, the wait to fully adapt to the CBR1000RR-R is prolonged.
As a reminder, Bautista only arrived in the category last year, at Ducati. This first season ended on the second step of the final podium with a title of vice-world champion and numerous victories to boot. However, the change of manufacturer made for 2020 represented a new challenge to take on and it is not too bad for the moment since the Spaniard left Australia with two sixth positions and times not far from those of the lead pilots.
However, you have to take time and work from home, in addition to responding to requests from the media during this period of confinement. Bautista thus responded to an exclusive interview with Sky Sport. “ Fortunately, we are fine”, he told them. “Obviously I can't go out to do technical training but at least I have good time with my baby. I enjoy every moment with her. »
Alongside his recent happiness as a father, many unresolved problems are still relevant at the start of his adventure with Honda. As a relatively new project, adaptation is fundamental: “I confirm what I said in Australia: we are at 30% and we need to improve the sensations with the bike. The project is new, the bike is new and so is the team, so it takes time. »
Bautista was also asked what influence Marc Márquez had in his choice to join the HRC Superbike project, but he remained categorical: “In reality, it wasn’t Marc who pushed me. He tried the bike and I asked him how he felt, but that was after I signed with Honda. » On the MotoGP side, some have considered the fact that the number 19 could return and take Alex Márquez's bike in 2021 given that the youngest of the Márquez brothers only has a contract signed for one season. “We’ll see what happens.”, Bautista said.
In addition to the uncertainty of the future and the resumption of the season, the situation that is being created due to the coronavirus poses many questions, starting with the economic aspect. In the world of football, player salaries will clearly be affected. “In WSBK we have not yet addressed the subject. For a footballer who earns 20 million euros, having three or four taken away won't change much. It’s different for us”, recognized the Spanish pilot.
