“More time” needed for WorldSBK’s only remaining champion after major change

Alvaro Bautista feels he needs “more time” to adapt to the several changes he is faced with in 2026, but says he wants to “enjoy the process of improving”.

2022 and 2023 champion Bautista is the only World Superbike Champion remaining on the grid this year, after Jonathan Rea’s retirement from full-time racing and Toprak Razgatlioglu’s move to MotoGP with Yamaha.

But Bautista himself is facing major change, with a change of team, crew chief, and an updated Ducati to contend with this year.

It’s change the three-time world champion is motivated by, but also something he feels he needs time to adjust to.

“It will be a new challenge for me because after many years in the Ducati factory team now I’m racing for the Barni Spark Racing team,” said Alvaro Bautista, speaking to WorldSBK.com ahead of the opening round of the 2026 season in Australia.

“For sure I have a lot of motivation because I feel good physically and mentally, so looking forward to start. 

“This preseason has been very strange because we didn’t make a lot of tests, and for us it was very important because new model of the bike and new faces in the box, so a lot of work to be done. 

“We spent here two days, but for me they were a bit short time because I had a lot of things to do, but I’m so happy because the team is working really well. 

“I think we are knowing each other as quick as we can, but we need more time. 

“But, in any case, I feel a lot of motivation. I think that this opportunity gives me like a new restart in my career and I hope to come and do my best and give the maximum I can.”

Bautista barely rode in either of the European tests. Wet weather hit both of them, but while some riders ventured out in the wet weather to try some ergonomic things Bautista opted to remain in the garage.

The lack of running in Europe placed more importance on the Phillip Island test for Bautista, who feels he is still building the relationship between himself and the Barni team.

“It was not easy to stay in Jerez and Portimao just watching the time passing,” he said.

“Here, even in only four hours each day, we did a lot of work, and especially we got a lot of references. New bike, new team, and also in this track that is not easy and is a bit tricky, so many things that you try here doesn’t work in other places, and also what you’re trying on other tracks doesn’t work here. 

“We got a lot of references. We tried on the second day many things just to adapt the bike to myself and also my crew chief and my team are knowing me a bit better and trying many things that, at the end, we found many things that didn’t work, but other things that are working. 

“So now we are searching my way with this Panigale V4. We are on the way. 

“At the moment, I don’t feel that I can discover the maximum potential of the bike, but we are on the way and I hope during the weekend to keep improving this feeling.”

The Spanish rider added that he does not want to put specific numbers on his expectations for either this weekend or the season, preferring to focus on improving.

“If in this weekend I can end the weekend and improve the feeling and improve the pace and the performance with the bike, I will be happy,” he said.

“I don’t think I will arrive to my best with the bike and myself in this race because we need more reference and more time. 

“I don’t have any expectations about the result, I think we have to be more focused on the performance and try to increase our performance with the bike. 

“Then, for the season, I think it’s the same. I don’t put a clear result in my mind, I just want to enjoy the process of improvement and that’s all. 

“I try to give my best as always. I feel physically and mentally quite strong. So I think we have everything to make a good performance, good result, but I don’t have anything in my mind, sincerely.”