Ducati “now understand” why Alvaro Bautista makes the difference after MotoGP test
Bautista completed a two-day private MotoGP test on Tuesday and Wednesday at Misano, as part of hisꦫ reward for winning ꧋the 2022 WorldSBK title.
And after a positive opening day, D𓆏ucati w꧅ere even happier with the reigning Superbike champion’s performance on day-two, as he set a mid 1m 32s lap time.
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"To be honest, it’s been a really𓆉 good test because Alvaro did a really good job," said Aruba.it Ducati Team Manager Serafino Foti, when speaking to WorldSBK.com. "He was quite fast. I’m surprised.
"He actually g✱ot the feeling really quickly. This surprised me. It’s not easy to jump toꦆ MotoGP from WorldSBK and get this feeling.
"Now I understand why🌸 he makes the difference in World Superbike. From my point of view, he’s on another level.
"We were impres✃sed for the performance and the approach. Now I understand really well. Of course, we have a good bike, but he makes the difference."
Bautista’s current WorldSBK teammate Michael Rubeꩵn Rinaldi, who is a local resi🦩dent in the Rimini region of Italy, also came to the circuit to see the Spaniard in action.
Rinaldi’s takeaway was that Bautista could return to MotoGP and be very competitive, even though that’s not a move that will happen after Bautista extended his Ducati WorldSBK contra꧅ct until the end of 2024.
Rinaldi added: "I live close to here so I came to watch him and to understand his work and the difference between MotoGP 💫and WorldSBK and how he adapted.
"Actually, I’m quite impressedܫ because he went very well. I would like to see him racing 🍨in MotoGP because we can understand the level of WorldSBK.
"I think Alvaro, in this moment, is the best Alvaro of his career. He can be pretty strong also in MotꦓoGP."