WorldSBK, Bautista: “I’ve been lucky but I deserve what I’ve achieved”

We might compare his career to his current hairstyle: long and with golden highlights. Alvaro Bautista is one of the most experienced top riders, his world championship debut dating back to 2002 and his career path taking him from the 125 title, to wins in 250, MotoGP podiums and the runner-up spot in Superbike, in a 2019 season that saw him win 16 races (including the first 11) aboard the brand new Ducati Panigale V4.

The thirty-six old has raced many bikes, changing his colours and personal style time and time again. And now he’s in the red, white and blue of the factory Honda SBK: "I actually had long hair a few years ago too, I had an onion on my head – jokes Alvaro. Now it’s long again, and there’s no real reason. I’ve always liked to play with my look…. Let’s say I didn’t want to cut my hair, so I let it grow and now it nearly reaches my shoulders".

WorldSBK, Haslam: “Honda has greater capability than Kawasaki”

Looking back, how do you feel?

"I feel all of the experience I’ve gained over the years. I still have the same desire I had in the early days. I enjoy riding, now I ride more powerful bikes than those I won with in 125 for example. Despite my age, I feel better physically and mentally. It’s all about awareness, method. I follow a specific training programme and diet. I know what does me good and what doesn't. I know myself better”.

You’re a rider and a dad. While awaiting the birth of your daughter in 2019, it looked like that might have affected your title fight.

"But when I announced I would become a dad, the ‘project’ was already four months old. And prior to my announcement I'd won many races with the Ducati. To be honest, I think if something went wrong, it was just coincidence. Luckily, I’ve always known how to live two lives and keep them separate. When I’m home, training aside, I don’t think about bikes. Then in the paddock I’m fully dedicated to my work. Only in the evening do I talk to my dad, my wife, my family and friends. I like to differentiate between the two so that I make the most of each moment and situation. I haven’t really missed my daughter this year because we ran few races and they were almost all in Spain”.

In fact, we’ve spent more time at home than at the tracks.

"Yes, and during lockdown I forgot about being a rider. I made the most of my time with my daughter, having a lot of fun. Then, when we went racing again, I got on with the work with my team. There weren’t any times when I really felt my daughter’s absence, but don’t tell her that, or she’ll be angry when I get home (he laughs)".

Unlike many Spanish riders, you’re not from Catalunya.

"It’s true, I’m from Talavera de la Reina, a town in central Spain, in the middle of nowhere. I still live there and if I think about my career, I’d say I’ve been lucky. I know many riders in my area who never found the right ride, the right moment. My parents always followed me right from the start. I liked bikes and enjoyed riding, we battled and showed our potential, scoring results. When I started my career, there was already a risk I’d have to stop. We had no money, all gone. I don’t know, perhaps destiny stepped in. But the reality is that mum and dad made the difference”.

 

Is there a particular episode you remember?

"Yes, one from a long time ago. After competing in the Movistar Cup, no team or structure wanted me to ride in that series. So I tried to move ahead on my own and bought a Yamaha, the cheapest model. I struggled a lot, not even qualifying for the Spanish championship. I couldn’t get into the top 40. The money was all gone and my family decided to stop it there. Then in the week I was going to give it up, I got a call. A team had lost its rider and they asked me for 18,000 Euro for three complete weekends. Me, mum and dad were in front of the sliding doors. A fork".

What did you do?

"We went to the bank and asked for a loan. Do you want to know what happened?"

Of course.

"I was one of the fastest qualifiers for the Spanish championship with the team that was the predecessor to Romero’s Avintia MotoGP team. In our first race together, I set fifth with the Honda and people started to say ‘this blond kid could do well’. They were right and the year after, I finished second nationally with a team called Atletico de Madrid (also his favourite football team). In a short time, I had gone from almost hanging up my helmet to getting my career back on track, because then came the world championship debut".

In your fourth complete season with the 125, you won the title with Aprilia.

"The dream became reality. I thought of my dad, who worked as a mechanic and did everything to help me. I thought of my mum, who was always there for me. Also my sisters, who gave me money to race. It was incredible. If I look back, I realise I’ve been lucky, but I’ve deserved what I’ve achieved. Thanks to all of them, my family, of course”.

Where do you find the motivation to continue racing?

"Well, sometimes you don’t fancy going out, like when it’s cold (he laughs). Also when it’s really hot, but the cold is worse. You find you have little stimulation when conditions are that extreme but then once you’re on the bike, you quickly find your motivation again. The fact is that I enjoy riding. My 2018 decision proves that. When I realised there was no place for me in MotoGP, I could have stayed at home but I still wanted to race, so I seized the opportunity offered to me in Superbike".

You just missed out on the title with Ducati, setting record after record in your debut season. This season has appeared more of a challenge, despite just one podium with Honda.

"The situation is different. In 2019, the Panigale V4 R was already there, ready to race. The test riders had worked on development and the Ducati race department had almost two years of experience. It was all easier. With Honda on the other hand, we are starting out with a brand-new project. The CBR RR-R arrived exactly one year ago and from there we had to start from the smallest detail, putting in a lot of effort. When things are tough, you have to double down, and that’s what I've done. Our project is young, there’s a lot of work to do, but I always give it my all anyway. If I can with a 15-second lead, I do so. If I can finish sixth, I do so. For me, the work is the same, only this year we have to put all the pieces of the puzzle together, a puzzle that has great potential”.

The brand-new Honda Fireblade is considered a beautiful bike, would you agree?

"Of course! Our CBR RR-R is beautiful because it’s well-made. You can see that every detail is there for a reason. If we compare the Fireblade to the other Superbikes, we see how all the details are in the right place, every element is perfect, well researched. There is no trailing wire or cabling. Yes, the Honda is true Japanese Style".

Do you have any dreams left?

"I’d like life to return to so-called 'normality'. The current situation is far from great. This, from a human standpoint. As a rider, I want to continue to have fun, riding the bike as best I can, for a long while to come. So I can feel younger. This year I crashed and then understood the reason. I was even more hungry that a rookie might be. The desire to win is strong, very strong. I realised that staying in this world helps me to feel young, so I want to be here for many years to come".

Translated by Heather Watson

WorldSBK: why are Rea’s titles not worth those of Fogarty, Corser and Bayliss?