'I was trying to regain confidence... unfortunately that confidence I cannot find again' - Alvaro Bautista reflects on 2024
12/05/2024 04:07 AM
Alvaro Bautista reflects on his difficult 2024 season after losing the World Superbike title.
The 2024 World Superbike season was Alvaro Bautista's worst year as an Aruba.it Racing - Ducati rider. The two-time Champion spent the last two years dominating the series and won 43 races across his two title-winning seasons.
This season was a challenge for the Spaniard as he was heavily impacted by the introduction of the bike + rider weight limit. Bautista ended his fourth year with Ducati in third place in the Championship with only four wins to his name.
The 40-year-old was beaten in the standings by BMWs, Toprak Razgatlioglu and his new rookie teammate, Nicolo Bulega.
"As we well know in 2024 there were some technical changes," said Bautista. "The Panigale gained something while I lost in other areas. Certainly, the level of the category has risen, thanks also to the super concessions, which were exploited very well by Toprak and BMW.
When talking about his 2024 struggles Bautista said: "It is clear that in this 2024 season, I struggled. At first, I didn't understand how to deal with the change and I didn't have the confidence riding the bike. After the last races, I reflected a lot on the season and came to the conclusion that I was wrong. I was wrong because I was trying to regain the confidence I had in the last two years. Unfortunately, that confidence I cannot find again."
Bautista went on to further discuss what he is expecting from the 2025 Ducati Panigale V4 R. The Spaniard is not expecting much more from the Italian manufacturer, but knows he has to improve next season.
"In 2025 the bike will be the same, although there will be some changes from Ducati," Bautista stated. "I am trying to reset and start again, I am aware that the references of these last two years I have to put them aside. In fact, I will have to work on others, trying to adapt to the bike. In 2025 my approach to the Ducati will be even more important, and we will have to be perfect."
After the 2025 season, Bautista's contract with Ducati will expire. There will be a new Ducati Panigale V4 R released in 2026, but it is unknown if the Spaniard will get to race it.
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