At over 40 years old, Alvaro Bautista has clearly lost none of his candor. The Spaniard isn't even considering retirement and continues to fight to rediscover the form that allowed him to clinch two WorldSBK titles. But behind his measured words, a certain bitterness also emerges. The bitterness of a rider who feels he's still paying the price for his past successes.
Because while he admits to experiencing more difficulties than expected with the new Ducati Panigale V4, Baptist He also doesn't hide what he thinks of the regulations introducing ballast for lighter pilots. And his words are particularly direct.
The 2026 season is far from being a smooth ride for the Spanish driver. Between the disrupted tests of Phillip Island and a motorcycle that doesn't suit his body type. Baptist admits to going through a difficult period.
« Honestly, I'm having more trouble than expected » he said on GPone before continuing: “ I still can't fly the way I'd like. We're working on it because, Of all the Ducati riders, I'm probably the one who has the most troubleMy body shape is different from others, and perhaps some aspects of the motorcycle need to be reviewed. »
The observation is clear: this new Panigale V4 was developed around larger and heavier pilots, in particular Nicholas Bulega that holds the top spot. " I think this new model was developed primarily in following the instructions of Nicolò Bulegawho was the pilot initially chosen to continue the project, and perhaps also those of Petrucci »
A phenomenon that was ultimately the opposite of what he had experienced upon his arrival in 2019. Back then, it was the heavier riders who suffered the most. I remember Chaz Davies having a lot of trouble. Now, I get the impression it's the other way around. »
Alvaro Bautista: “ Why should I stay home? »
Despite the difficulties and his 41 years, Baptist He has no intention of hanging up his helmet. Why not? Why should I stay home? I feel good, I'm having fun, and I love flying."The Spaniard says he remains motivated both physically and mentally." I'm not someone who runs just to be there. I run because I think I can still be at the top and that I still have things to prove"His objective therefore remains unchanged: to become competitive again before thinking about the next step in his career."
Part of the interview concerns his view on the current dominance of Nicholas BulegaThe former world champion has no problem acknowledging the exceptional performances of his young teammate. I am a little disappointed, however, that there are practically no rivals for the win this year. »
But he also takes the opportunity to remind people of a reality often forgotten when discussing his own past dominance. I didn't win by dominating like Toprak or Bulega. I won the world championship in the last race. »
And he continues: “ Toprak secured his first title with several races to spare (…) It's not like I won without any rivals. » In other words, Baptist believes that history has sometimes been rewritten. Its dominance was never as overwhelming as some have suggested to justify certain regulatory changes.
It's obviously on the ballast imposed on the lightest pilots that Baptist proves to be the most incisive. It's not my fault. I think it's unfairbecause all lighter pilots have problems with this type of regulationThen comes the sentence that perfectly sums up his position: For me, this is a rule that should never have existed. »
The Spaniard believes this regulation was created solely because he was earning too much. Clearly, it was introduced for a reason: I was winningAccording to him, the decision-makers did not properly analyze the technical consequences of this decision. My biggest challenge was cornering: braking, managing inertia. And now, these problems have worsened. »
But the reflection of Baptist goes far beyond his own case. I'm also thinking about the future: if a smaller, younger rider arrives, he'll hesitate at first because he knows he'll have to carry extra weight.. » And above all: « No manufacturer wants to choose a driver who has to carry extra weight. »
The former MotoGP rider raises a rarely discussed question: regulations intended to promote fairness could paradoxically discourage an entire category of riders from coming to WorldSBK.
The conclusion is as follows: “ Even Valentino Rossi, who has won numerous titles, or Marc Márquez, have not had any specific rule made against them.This sentence sums up the feeling of injustice that still exists today. BaptistHe does not dispute the need to regulate the championship, but considers that he has become one of the few world champions whose successes have directly led to the introduction of a rule specifically targeting his physical characteristics.
Ultimately, this interview mainly shows thatÁlvaro Bautista He is not a rider past his prime preparing for retirement. He is still a two-time world champion convinced he can win, certain he still belongs at the highest level, and who categorically refuses to have his WorldSBK story reduced to a weight advantage or a Ducati Too successful. And clearly, he still has some scores to settle with those who wrote this story differently.
