Bautista: ‘It’s not a target to win three in a row, focusing on myself’
Alvaro Bautista says he’s fully focused on himself ahead of defending his WorldSBK title for the second consecutive season.
The two-time WorldSBK champion is the clear favourite heading into this season, however, the factory Ducati rider is not thinking ahead.
Bautista was sensational in 2023, winning 27 out of a possible 37 races, but the motivation to continue dominating is something that ‘I give to myself’, says the former MotoGP rider.
Bautista has the chance to become Ducati’s first-ever three-time champion in succession, and speaking ahead of the Jerez test about his goals for 2024, Bautista kept the expectations low.
“The motivation is something I give to myself,” said Bautista at the official Ducati launch. “I want to keep enjoying the bike and my riding.
“I remember, I think this year, Ducati said, ‘nobody defended the title with Ducati and the #1’ and this year we did it.
“It’s not like a target to win three in a row. It’s to have a good feeling with the bike, keep working how we did in the last two years.
“Only one rider can win. We’ll try to be one of those fighting for that.”
Bautista is set to take part in both pre-season tests before the end of January, the first at Jerez ahead of another two-day outing at Portimao.
Speaking ahead of his first appearance in 2024, Bautista added: “I’m so excited because I want to check how my condition is riding the bike, and also with the new regulations, we have a lot of work to do.
“We have to work a lot to find the best possible compromise with the extra weight on the bike and try to get a good level of performance before the first race in Australia. A lot of change for this season.
“To see all the riders with their new machines will be really nice to see. I’m focused on myself. I’m more worried about my work and feeling. That’s all.
“For sure, in the test, what we saw in the past is many riders going fast in cold conditions but, when the races arrive, they struggle.
“Tests are tests. I don’t like to see what the other riders are doing. I prefer to keep focused on myself, work as well as possible for racing. It’s always interesting to see the new changes on the grid.”
