Alvaro Bautista to make decision on WorldSBK future after dominant start - ‘I will ask their opinion’
/dnl.eurosport.com/sd/img/placeholder/eurosport_logo_1x1.png){kind=logo}
Published 25/04/2023 at 14:53 GMT
Amid suggestions that he could be set to walk away from superbikes, Alvaro Bautista says he will consult his family during the gap to the next race in Catalunya. Bautista has made a dominant start to the season, reflected in his big lead over Toprak Razgatlioglu. There has also been speculation that Razgatlioglu could move over to MotoGP, something that was subsequently denied by his manager.
Bautista holds off Rea to bounce back and take Superpole victory in Assen
Alvaro Bautista will make a decision regarding his future in superbikes soon amid suggestions the 38-year-old could walk away from the sport.
The reigning World Superbike champion has dominated the opening rounds of this season after winning eight of the nine races so far, but admits this has taken a toll on his personal life.
“Before the season started, I said that after the third [round] I will take a decision [for 2024],” said Bautista in quotes published by crash.net.
“We have had three rounds, and now have one and half weeks at home - with my family, with my daughter, and I will ask them their opinion.
“Because now my daughter starts to be bigger and understands that: Daddy is out, Daddy is travelling, Daddy is not at home, so it’s not easy as well.
“I’m really happy with my performance right now in my professional life, but also the personal [life] is becoming more special and more important.
“Let’s see. Now we have a couple of days to think about it and try to take a decision for me, for my family, and also for the team as soon as possible.”
The Spaniard has enjoyed a stellar career after becoming a 125cc world champion in 2006, winning races in 250cc and taking three podiums during 158 starts in MotoGP ahead of making the move to WorldSBK in 2019.
Bautista’s dominant start to the season has been reflected by his 56-point lead ahead of Toprak Razgatlioglu (Yamaha).
The Spaniard’s Ducati team-mate Axel Bassani sits fourth, while factory team-mate Michael Rinaldi is currently sixth.
Meanwhile, there has been speculation that Razgatlioglu could move over to MotoGP, which has subsequently been denied by his manager Kenen Sofuoglu.
“Our first choice is to continue with Yamaha. We will start speaking about Toprak’s future from our side and also from Yamaha’s side,” he said.
“The first goal is to do a deal together and then we have to decide where to go, MotoGP or World SBK.
“This is on the table. I am always telling him to stay in WorldSBK. Many years ago, I took Toprak with me and I built him for WorldSBK. I didn’t build him for MotoGP.
“He is very talented, maybe more talented than many MotoGP riders, but MotoGP is a different world. I believe to be a MotoGP rider, you need to grow there. From the Red Bull Rookies Cup, Moto3, Moto2 and MotoGP.
“Toprak grew here. WorldSBK is Toprak’s home. I am telling Toprak, ‘we built you for WorldSBK and you can, for the next 10 years, have a big career here’.”
- - -
Stream the 2023 Superbike World Championship live on live on discovery+, the Eurosport app and at eurosport.com
Scan me
Related Topics
Share this article
Advertisement
Advertisement