Alvaro Bautista does not underestimate Toprak Razgatlioglu and Jonathan Rea, who he sees fighting for the World Championship with BMW and Yamaha.
About Matteo Bellan de Motoracing
Alvaro Bautista was also among the protagonists of the event organized by Ducati at the Unipol Arena in Casalecchio di Reno (Bologna) to celebrate the 2023 victories. There was much applause for him for winning the Superbike world title for the second year in a row, a category to which the company Borgo Panigale is very important and in which it was with him that she was able to excel after a long period of famine. In 2024, the hat-trick is the target to reach a legend Ducati as Troy Bayliss.
Baptist will therefore start the 2024 season as defending champion, but he will have rivals ready to give him a hard time. One of them will be Toprak Razgatlioglu, vice-champion for the last two years and who hopes to become champion again by joining BMW. The first tests with the M 1000 RR gave him confidence, even if it will be necessary to wait for the races to understand the true values on the track.
Alvaro Bautista: “ BMW is a good manufacturer, they invest a lot to improve the bike and be competitive »
Alvaro said he was quite sure that the Turk would be the protagonist: “ I followed his tests and he was pretty quick right away with the new bike. For me his brand change wasn't something crazy. He is very talented and BMW is a good manufacturer, they invest a lot to improve the bike and be competitive. I expect him to fight for the title in the first season with BMW. Same goes for Rea with Yamaha. And my new partner Bulega will also be fast".
The next test is scheduled for January 24 and 25 in Jerez. There should be a first comparison between all the best SBK riders. THE January 29 and 30, there will be another test at Portimao. The last one is planned for February 19 and 20 at Phillip Island, where the championship will begin next the weekend of February 23 to 25.
This promises to be a very interesting year. Even if Baptist is the natural candidate for final victory, the new duos Razgatlioglu-BMW et Rea-Yamaha could prove particularly treacherous for him. No opponent can be taken lightly, many drivers will face 2024 more motivated than ever.
