Bautista: “Now I am a much more complete driver”

The Superbike World Championship does not have as much following in Spain as in other European countries, especially in the United Kingdom or Italy. But Álvaro Bautista, based on victories and his title, puts a vibrant contest on the map that continues to grow on our borders.

-How are you doing this end of the year with so many tributes and recognitions for your champion title?

-Now I have stopped less at home than the rest of the year (laughs). But the reason is good. It is clear that I have more fun in the races but the recognition that we are receiving is nice.

– Has this title had more repercussions than that of 2006 with the 125 and hence the number of awards you receive?

-It is different. At that time there weren’t so many social networks, I liked motorcycling a lot or you didn’t know it. Now the whole world finds out about everything, even if it is a championship that here in Spain was not very often. At present it seems that he is being followed a little more, because of the battles, because of the controversies… And people know it more than 16 years ago.

-Are you a key player in increasing the following of the SBK?

-In 2019 when we arrived and we won the first 11 races, it was a ‘boom’ for the World SBK to grow in Spain. And this year that we have been fighting for the championship and we have achieved it, I think the expectation for this championship has grown more. And I think it’s normal, because in the end you follow the competition more if there are drivers from your nation. It has happened in Formula 1, on motorcycles and perhaps MotoGP is more seen because it is full of Spaniards. But I do feel part of this increase.

-It must also be a source of pride to be the second Spanish champion in the category and to be the third rider to be champion in the Motorcycling World Championship and in the World SBK…

-Of course it is a pride to follow in the footsteps of Checa, who was the first and only Spaniard to date to be champion in SBK. Also, I get along very well with Carlos and being his successor is a source of pride. And as you say, the list of drivers who have won in both championships is not very long and I am already involved in it and therefore, happy and wanting to continue achieving beautiful things.

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-At 38 years old, do you notice that you are experiencing a second youth in the Superbike World Championship?

-Yes, definitely. I don’t know why… But I’m in a moment of physical and mental shape… I think even the best of my entire career. I am enjoying the bike a lot, like never before. At this age you have everything clearer, you know what you want and what you want to fight for. That’s why I enjoy it so much and I’m 100% into it.

-Then this is not the time to wonder how long…

-Of course not. Even in bad times I have never considered it. In Honda’s years in Superbike, for example, the desire to work, to improve, was there. I felt that as a pilot he was improving, he was growing, not in height… (laughs). Right now I am in a very beautiful moment and I have not thought about when, how much or what. I am focused on day to day, I renewed with Ducati until 2023 and my idea is to continue like this, year after year and when I notice that I am going down, then I will stay at home calmly. At the moment there is none of that.

-Have you already taught your daughters the numbers 1 and 19 so they can choose the one they will wear in 2023?

-I already have it on in the room and that this Christmas they will see it, they will be doing it, so that when the time comes to ask them ‘the 1st or the 19th for dad?’. To see what they tell me. But surely the 1 will be there, either alone or accompanied by the 9.

-Have you asked for a wild card with Ducati in MotoGP next year in the letter of the Three Kings?

-This is being heard, yes. We are waiting to see if it comes out to do a test with the MotoGP. More than anything because seen from the outside it looks like a very fun bike and yes, as a reward I would like to do a test and then from there who knows. If I have good feelings, if I have fun, then I will ask for my second wish, which is to make a wild card. But first of all, try the bike, do a few laps, have that feeling of power, the carbon brakes, the stability… Especially now that I feel like a more complete rider, with more experience, more knowing what I want.

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