SBK, Bautista: "I’m winning thanks to the engine? So why didn’t Pedrosa win in MotoGP?"

Alvaro Bautista couldn’t have asked for more at the Argentinian round, after winning both race 1 and race 2. The Spaniard, particularly in race 2, had no rivals, once again proving stronger than everyone aboard a Ducati that, in his hands, is quite clearly the strongest bike in the championship. He now has an 82-point advantage over Toprak Razgatlioglu, a tally that has him believing in a title that Borgo Panigale hasn’t seen since 2011. As the Spaniard himself underlines, the second race was more complicated, and that’s why he’s so satisfied.

Alvaro Bautista: "It was easy to make mistakes today"

The Bautista-Ducati pairing seems stronger now than it has been all season, demonstrating a solidity and an efficiency that was once again hard to beat last weekend. At the end of the race, the Spaniard commented: “Today we ran a great race, difficult because it was the last of the weekend, so there was all the effort of the weekend. The track was harder to interpret than yesterday, it was easier to make mistakes and then I didn’t make a great start, losing positions. At a certain point, I understood the track conditions, realised what I could do and decided to push, making up places.”

The Spaniard then highlighted the key elements of his race: "Despite the complicated track conditions, I felt more consistent than yesterday, and that was down to the tyre choice. At first, I thought that Rea wanted to take the lead, I thought he was stronger than me to be honest, like this morning. In the Superpole race, I think Rea had better pace on paper, he could have won. This afternoon I felt I could beat him and I did it. I’m pleased because I was more competitive compared to the rest of the weekend".

The title is close but Bautista is keeping his feet on the ground

The title is now well within reach, even if the Spaniard says he wasn’t thinking about that during the race: “Believe me, I wasn’t thinking about points in this race, I was just focusing on giving it my all and not making any mistakes. It was hard to beat Toprak today, he’s strong, as well as being better than me at this track. But in the end, I have to say I’m more than happy. I never thought about the championship, I prefer to enjoy the present, turn after turn”.

Bautista goes on to specify: “I want to have fun and get the best out of the Ducati and myself. I don’t want to change this mentality, I want to focus race by race, it’s better to enjoy the moment. I’m really happy, the feeling I have with the Ducati is the best I’ve ever had. I want to finish my career like this.”

Lastly, Bautista wants to get something off his chest, responding to those who put his achievements down to the power of the Ducati engine: “I’m not interested in what people say, I’m just thinking about doing my best. Those who follow me know my strengths. Also, if I win thanks to the bike and the engine, then why did Pedrosa not win several championships in MotoGP? So no, I don’t worry about what people think.”

Traslated by Heather Watson