SBK, Towards 2025: Bautista has everything he needs to continue

It certainly hasn't been an easy winter for Alvaro Bautista who had to face physical problems after his fall during the Jerez tests in October and those relating to the ballast that had to be applied due to new regulations. Certainly, compared to last year, the world champion started from a very different position and had to deal with scenarios he never experienced before.

The fact remains that, in Australia, the Spanish rider managed to put a patch on it while in Barcelona, his hometown, and ended the weekend with his first win of the season. A success that started from afar if we consider his grid position after a qualifying session that was below expectations.

However, Bautista sent a clear signal, confirming that he'll also be in the scuffle, despite the fact that his teammate, Nicolò Bulega, is at the top of the rankings. But, besides the result, his priority has always been one: to have fun on his Panigale V4.

We finally saw a smiling, serene, and carefree Bautista again in Barcelona. But, above all, he's enthusiastic about what he did over the weekend. If, on the one hand, he was pissed off for having been pushed back three positions on the grid, on the other, the Aruba rider realized that he had the situation under control and was ready for a battle. Obviously, the margin over his competition isn't what it was last year, but his victory in Race 2 is a clear message to everyone, as if to say, "I'm still here."

And we all obviously hope to see his number on the track again next season. Alvaro has proven that he's going beyond his physical problems but, above all, he has found the crux of the matter on a Ducati that is heavier than last season's. For the world championship scuffle,  he'll have to contend with Bulega as well as Toprak, who has more weapons in his arsenal than last year. However, Bautista is aware that he's perhaps stronger than he was in 2023.

The future? Well, this question will accompany us on our way to Assen and, most likely, until the Misano round in mid-June. At the moment, a decision hasn't yet been reached, because the person directly involved has been clear on the subject: "I'll decide what to do next year only when I'll start having fun on the bike and will  have confidence."

From what we've seen, should he decide to go beyond the 40 mark, we certainly wouldn't be surprised.