Bautista: A better base than the 2024 debate year / World Superbike Championship

Bautista: A better base than the 2024 debate year / World Superbike Championship


Alvaro Bautista (Ducati) was far behind his colleague Nicolo Bulega on the first day in Jerez. Compared to last year, he was able to prepare better for the Superbike season this winter.

Alvaro Bautista (Ducati) finished eighth on the first day of the Jerez test. He was 1.404 seconds behind teammate Nicolo Bulega, who set the fastest time. The first race in the 2025 Superbike season was affected by strong winds – last year’s World Championship third place winner also had to contend with this.

“It was very difficult, especially in the last sector, where I always had a lot of movement on my bike. I almost fell several times,” said the 40-year-old. “It was windy, but contrary to the weather forecast it didn’t rain – so we were able to do a few laps.”

Did the Aruba team also try some new parts on the first day at the Circuito de Jerez? “No, we had the same bike and it was about having a good feeling again. Of course, it was difficult in these conditions and I could not ride calmly, but it is the first day and we will continue to work.”

In 2024, the two-time Superbike World Champion had a difficult start to the season. Due to a neck injury that he suffered in a bad fall during the Jerez test at the beginning of November 2023, he was not able to properly prepare for the season during the winter break. He felt the consequences for a long time, and the Spaniard also had to struggle with the new weight rule. Bautista enters the 2025 season with different needs. “It’s better this time because I was able to train regularly this winter. “I feel better physically,” said the veteran. “We’re used to the rules and we know what to expect. We are trying to improve the feeling, but today was difficult in these conditions.”

Times Superbike World Championship Test Jerez (January 22):

1. Nicolo Bulega (I), Ducati, 1:38.731 min
2. Andrea Iannone (I), Ducati, +0.450 sec
3. Scott Redding (GB), Ducati, +0,549
4. Garrett Gerloff (USA), Kawasaki, +0,601
5. Axel Bassani (I), Bimota, +0.732
6. Danilo Petrucci (I), Ducati, +0.817
7. Xavi Vierge (E), Honda, +1.185
8. Alvaro Bautista (E), Ducati, +1.404
9. Sam Lowes (GB), Ducati, +1,476
10. Alex Lowes (GB), Bimota, +1,539
11. Michael van der Mark (NL), BMW, +1,554
12. Remy Gardner (AUS), Yamaha, +1,562
13. Jonathan Rea (GB), Yamaha, +1,637
14. Ryan Vickers (GB), Ducati, +1,855
15. Andrea Locatelli (I), Yamaha, +2.258
16. Markus Reiterberger (D), BMW, +2,545
17. Bahattin Sofuoglu (TR), Yamaha, +2,565
18. Yari Montella (I), Ducati, +2,577
19. Dominique Aegerter (CH), Yamaha, +2,757
20. Tetsuya Nagashima (J), Honda, +2,767
21. Borja Gomez (E), Honda, +2.794
22. Tito Rabat (E), Yamaha, +2,860
23. Tarran Mackenzie (GB), Honda, +2,984
24. Xavi Fores (E), Bimota, +3,195
25. Sylvain Guintoli (F), BMW, +4,056

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