'I hope to learn from 2024 and try to be better in the future' - Bautista ends his season after the Jerez Test
10/24/2024 10:42 AM
Alvaro Bautista's 2024 season has come to an end after completing the two-day test at Jerez.
After finishing third in the 2024 World Superbike Championship Alvaro Bautista's 2025 preparations began. The 2022 and 2023 World Superbike Champion lost his title in 2024 to BMW and Toprak Razgatlioglu.
However, after a difficult season, Bautista was back on track days after the World Superbike finale. The Spaniard took part in the two-day test at Jerez, but he only completed one and a half days. After struggling with his Ducati Panigale V4 R in 2024 Bautista trialed a different approach in the test.
"Today (Wednesday) we decided to just do a half day," Bautista told WorldSBK.com. "We continued the work that we started yesterday. For us, the important thing is to reset and build a new base. Yesterday I did not want to touch anything, just to change my approach to riding the bike. Also, today we did not touch anything until the last exit. It was good because I was getting more confident and I was changing my riding style with the bike.
"With all the data from yesterday and this morning, we made a change in the setup to allow me to ride a bit better. I did one exit, but it was really nice, I had a better feeling, so I am happy. I am positive because now we have different data than from the past. We now have all the winter to analyse everything and to make a program for the work in the first test of next year."
'I could ride in the same way, but it was more comfortable'
Bautista spent nearly the whole test using a base setup Ducati Panigale V4 R. However, for his final run in the test, he changed his setup to what he wanted. This allowed the two-time Champion to learn more about his bike and what he needed to improve.
Bautista said: "I asked Ducati to make a Ducati setup for a rider. I tried to understand the Ducati set-up bike, then I tried to understand the positives and negatives of the bike. Then together we decided to make a setup of the bike and it was a bit better for me. I had the bike more in my hands, I could ride in the same way, but it was more comfortable."
After completing the Jerez test Bautista now has a free calendar until his first 2025 preseason test. The Spaniard needs to take time off over the winter to heal from the injuries that he suffered during the 2024 season.
"Basically, I want to rest and recover because my rib is still not perfect. Especially at night as I cannot sleep very well. So, to recover from this and to enjoy with friends and family, celebrate my birthday. That is all, maybe I will train a little bit, not too much though!
"After today I look forward to starting 2025 because I have a different feeling than in the past. This is good because I am going into the winter break with a clearer mentality, and more open to new setups and new ideas."
'Rather than putting me down, it gave me more motivation!'
Finally, Bautista discussed his 2024 World Superbike season and the setbacks he encountered. As well as multiple injuries the 39-year-old struggled with the Ducati for the first time in the last three years. However, the veteran rider is more motivated than ever to claim back his crown in 2025.
"It was not the best season for a lot of reasons," Bautista stated. "I had two injuries, one at the beginning of the season and one at the end. We had some problems with the bike, I never had very good feedback. But in the end, I think this type of season is good to learn from. I think rather than putting me down, it gave me more motivation!
"I will try to be a better rider, I am glad that the Championship is going up a level with more riders fighting at the front. Right now every detail is important, so having a big change this season I hope to learn from 2024 and try to be better in the future."
The post 'I hope to learn from 2024 and try to be better in the future' - Bautista ends his season after the Jerez Test appeared first on BikeSport News.
