He thinks that Alvaro Bautista’s continued success with Ducati within the 2026 World SBK season is critical, if he is competing to compete for subsequent yr’s victory.
The Spanish rider stays the Italian model he has gained 63 races around the globe, however is on the satellite tv for pc Barnis Park crew.
The 2-time World Superbike Champion stated the transfer to Barni was to stability out varied features of the race and helped him attain an settlement with each Barni and Ducati by Gigi Draniya, common supervisor of Ducati Corse.
“I knew it was essential to go quick and at the very least to make sure we might compete for final result, and the goal was to remain at Ducati,” Alvaro Bautista instructed worldsbk.com.
“The choice was actually to remain at Barni, however in the previous couple of weeks there have additionally been alternatives and alternatives to stick with this crew, however you must stability every little thing.
“However what was clear was to race with Ducati.
“I additionally talked loads with Gigi (Dorgnaina), and I instructed him, “I need to race with Ducati, so it is as a result of I really feel I can present all my prospects and use all my prospects.”
“He agreed and he supported me from day one, in order that was essential and we acquired it.”
Bautista added that it will be significant for him to obtain technical help from Ducati on the Italian satellite tv for pc crew.
“It is true that for him (Marco Barnabo, proprietor of the Barni Racing Group), having a prime rider within the class was not straightforward, and his goal was to get the chance to present me the perfect factor to battle,” he stated.
“It is actually not straightforward for such a crew, however we have talked loads with Ducati. Lastly, we have arrived at a extremely good compromise as we have now all of the help from Ducati subsequent yr.
“This was essential, and ultimately, I do not need to proceed racing only for the sake of the race. If I need to proceed racing, I really feel I can battle for the win.
“Additionally, on the opposite facet, there are good financial gives, so I believe I lastly discovered compromise. I am actually proud of the brand new problem.”
Bautista managed to get his first style of 2026 in his latest exams at Aragon with the up to date Panigal V4 R. Though I argued that it was not a take a look at of efficiency, it was essential to present early suggestions on two totally different configurations of the bike.
“It was our ‘first date’ and it wasn’t too dangerous,” he stated.
“However it wasn’t an actual efficiency take a look at. It was only a take a look at to check quite a lot of gadgets that Ducati needed to evaluate earlier than deciding which bike to make use of. So there have been two bikes and we began evaluating Ducati gadgets.
“It wasn’t one thing like a efficiency take a look at, it was nearly taking the primary time (time to take a seat on the bike) and giving info to Ducati.
“So I believe it was essential as a result of we have tried loads and know my path for the bike subsequent yr.”
