Portimao SBK test, Bautista: "Worried about Bulega? More about myself"

To see Alvaro Bautista fifteenth on the timesheets is strange, even during a test. After the difficulties at Jerez, the Spaniard hoped to see improvement in Portugal, but this was not the case. Not so much in terms of lap times, seeing as the Spanish rider chose not to mount the SCQ tyre, but with regard to his health, which is still subpar.

“Things have gone better than Jerez”, commented Bautista, “but not completely. Yesterday I felt an improvement physically speaking, while today was worse, perhaps also because of how physically demanding this track is. I’m not really in pain, but it’s always there and it's not easy”.

Bautista focuses on himself

Combined with his less-than-ideal health are a few small technical issues, to resolve as soon as possible.

“We haven’t found the ideal setting, as it was clear I couldn’t push hard come the end of the day. We’re lacking something right now. It hasn’t been a simple winter so far, as I haven’t been able to complete a lap without thinking about the pain. This makes it hard to understand whether we’re on the right path or not, but this is the situation, and we must do our best”.

Only the Phillip Island test remains before things get serious, and Bautista’s team-mate Nicolò Bulega is looking strong.

“I’m both confident and not. I just have to work as hard as I can at home, that’s all that matters. I’ll evaluate my situation day by day and when we get to Australia we’ll see where I’m at. Worried about Bulega? I’m more worried about myself, as the important thing is to get back to being 100%, both physically and with the bike. Only at that point can I look at what others are doing, but I knew that some riders, Nicolò included, would be quick”.