WSBK Superbike Phillip Island, Alvaro Bautista causes a sensation: “before the summer I will have made my decision whether to continue or not”

It is from this night from Thursday to Friday in our latitudes that Alvaro Bautista will begin to defend his title of WSBK World Champion acquired last year. Phillip Island, in Australia, thus opens the season of the category reserved for production motorcycles and the Spaniard, official Ducati rider, caused a sensation by touching on the subject of renewing his contract for the next few years. Putting the question of retirement into the equation, he suddenly remembered that he was already 38 years old….

Alvaro Bautista will be the first of two World Champions Ducati of last year to attack a new season with his machine hit by n ° 1. Phillip Island Australia thus launches the World Superbike hostilities this weekend and this is how the Spaniard approaches the deadline, after an off-season which only confirmed the high level of his Panigale V4R… “ I don't think I'm the favorite. There are a lot of very fast drivers in this championship » he begins.

On his identification plate which will remind everyone of his rank in the peloton, he comments: “ I feel like #1 is a personal motivation, a personal challenge, so I feel strong to defend the title with #1 ". But it will also be a burden: “ defending the championship is more difficult. When you fight for the Championship, you are going to beat the other drivers. Now it's you we have to beat ».

Alvaro Bautista: “ I don't know how many more years I'll run« 

Then, on GP One, he recalled that his contract ended at the end of this vintage. In view of the situation, the chances for its renewal can be assessed as great, but… “ I am in no hurry, when I have clear ideas I will make my choice and then I will communicate it to you all » declares the pilot Ducati who considers all the possibilities… “ I don't know how many more years I'll run and I don't even think about it that much. I certainly prepared a lot during the winter for this championship and I feel more confident than in 2022 ».

He mentioned : " before the summer I will have made my decision to continue or not, that's for sure. I certainly won't wait until the end of the season to announce my decision. Last year I decided to continue after the second race and now it will be the same, like two or three races ". However, Baptist ends by being reassuring: “ despite being 38 years old, I feel young and I'm still hungry ". To be continued…