{"id":1893772,"date":"2026-04-20T09:36:50","date_gmt":"2026-04-20T06:36:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1893772"},"modified":"2026-04-20T09:36:50","modified_gmt":"2026-04-20T06:36:50","slug":"has-one-worldsbk-champion-finally-solved-his-biggest-problem","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1893772","title":{"rendered":"Has one WorldSBK champion finally solved his biggest problem?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1304872_hires.jpg?width=1600&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9&#8243;]<\/p>\n<article>\n<header id=\"lbs-article\" class=\"article header article-header section layout layout--article-header\">\n<div class=\"col headline\">\n<div>\n<h1>Has one WorldSBK champion finally solved his biggest problem?<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"summary body\">\n<p>Alvaro Bautista thinks he has made progress in the area that has held him back most in WorldSBK recently.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"section two-column\">\n<div class=\"col article-info\">\n<div>\n<address> Alex Whitworth <\/address>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div><time datetime=\"2026-04-20T10:36:50+01:00\">20 Apr 2026<\/time><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"col article-actions\">\n<div class=\"block block-better-social-sharing-buttons block-social-sharing-buttons-block\">\n<div class=\"social-sharing-buttons\"><span class=\"ssb-title\"> Share<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div id=\"lbs-content\" class=\"content wide-two-column-sticky section layout layout--wide-two-column-sticky\">\n<div class=\"col first-column\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<figure> <source srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1304872_hires.jpg?width=1920&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1920w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1304872_hires.jpg?width=1800&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1800w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1304872_hires.jpg?width=1600&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1600w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1304872_hires.jpg?width=1500&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1500w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1304872_hires.jpg?width=1200&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1200w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1304872_hires.jpg?width=900&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 900w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1304872_hires.jpg?width=800&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 800w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1304872_hires.jpg?width=600&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 600w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1304872_hires.jpg?width=400&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 400w\" sizes=\"(min-width:1024px) 710px, (min-width:768px) 62vw, 97vw\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><figcaption>\n<div>Alvaro Bautista, 2026 Dutch WorldSBK, pit box. Credit: Gold and Goose.<\/div>\n<div class=\"source\"> \u00a9\u00a0Gold &amp; Goose<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"block block-preferred-source\">\n<div class=\"preferred-source-cta\">  Add as a preferred source <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"body\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Two-time WorldSBK champion Alvaro Bautista thinks he has found improvements in one area of his racing that has held him back in previous years.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Bautista is third on the all-time winning list for World Superbike, but hasn\u2019t won a race since Aragon 2024.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Throughout his WorldSBK career, especially since returning to Ducati in 2022 after two years at Honda, the Spanish rider has followed a familiar pattern in his races: slow at the start, and fast at the end.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">This pattern, at least in its first part, has been amplified since 2024 when the minimum weight rules were introduced that Bautista has so vehemently opposed, especially since the middle of last year.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">The usual analysis of his own racing pattern from Bautista is that when the fuel tank is full at the start and the bike is at its heaviest, he cannot ride as he wants, but as the fuel load decreases his confidence does the opposite and he\u2019s able to be faster.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">In 2022 and 2023, the late race pace was enough for him to come from behind and win races and eventually the title in both years, but since 2024 it\u2019s rarely been enough to achieve more than third place.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">The start of 2026, having moved to the Barni Ducati team, did not seem to offer much hope to Bautista, who was on the podium only once in the opening two rounds, that coming in the wet Race 2 in Australia where he was third.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-2c7c80ffeb8eae2783547219b98250d57d14d59d76b42e495aeec35f658d5d67\">  Former WorldSBK champion waited three weeks for Assen \u201creward\u201d   Two manufacturers hit with WorldSBK performance penalties <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Round three at Assen, however, seems to have brought progress for Bautista, who was able to be fast in the opening laps of both Sunday races, although he ultimately finished fourth, behind the factory Ducati riders and the Marc VDS Ducati of Sam Lowes.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Speaking after Race 2, Bautista explained that he was pleased with his weekend, and in particular noted that he was able to perform better in the opening laps of the races.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cWe have to be [satisfied] because, at the end, 4-4-4 this weekend, but the important thing is that we were very consistent through the weekend,\u201d Alvaro Bautista told WorldSBK.com.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article_2\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-dff44c84b402900aac66050b3ca93f5a0001ead5553d82ab543c2a1760d17754\">  Bulega WorldSBK rival vows \u201cthis is the first step\u201d after Superpole threat   Alvaro Bautista: Rain made Australian WorldSBK Race 2 \u201clike a lottery\u201d <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cToday I\u2019m happy as well because we make a small change on the bike from [Saturday] and, in the Superpole Race, I was able to push hard from the first lap that normally is where I have more problems.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201c[In Race 2], also the feeling in the first laps was much better than [Saturday] \u2013 in fact, we were able to fight with other riders without losing too much. So, the modifications we did on the bike, it worked.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cI\u2019m really happy, with the conditions today [Sunday], with the cold, light weight on the rider \u2013 it\u2019s more difficult to [make] the tyre warm.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cI was happy because the feeling improved a lot in the first few laps, but still we were a bit far from the podium fight.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cIn any case, we get the maximum we had, so I\u2019m happy for that.\u201d<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<h2>In this article<\/h2>\n<div>\n<div class=\"field_keywords\">Alvaro Bautista<\/div>\n<div class=\"field_keywords\">Barni Spark Racing Team<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"block block-next-prev\">\n<div class=\"next-prev-pager contextual-region\">\n<div class=\"items\">\n<div class=\"item prev\">\n<h3>  Previous<\/h3>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\"> Jonathan Rea \u201cin survival mode\u201d during Dutch WorldSBK<\/div>\n<source srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1305262_hires.jpg?width=1920&amp;format=webp 1920w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1305262_hires.jpg?width=1800&amp;format=webp 1800w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1305262_hires.jpg?width=1600&amp;format=webp 1600w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1305262_hires.jpg?width=1500&amp;format=webp 1500w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1305262_hires.jpg?width=1200&amp;format=webp 1200w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1305262_hires.jpg?width=900&amp;format=webp 900w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1305262_hires.jpg?width=800&amp;format=webp 800w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1305262_hires.jpg?width=600&amp;format=webp 600w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1305262_hires.jpg?width=400&amp;format=webp 400w\" sizes=\"(min-width:1024px) 710px, (min-width:768px) 62vw, 97vw\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"item next\">\n<h3> Next <\/h3>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\"> Why one Ducati WorldSBK rider believes Nicolo Bulega isn&#8217;t out of reach<\/div>\n<source srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1305198_hires.jpg?width=1920&amp;format=webp 1920w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1305198_hires.jpg?width=1800&amp;format=webp 1800w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1305198_hires.jpg?width=1600&amp;format=webp 1600w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1305198_hires.jpg?width=1500&amp;format=webp 1500w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1305198_hires.jpg?width=1200&amp;format=webp 1200w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1305198_hires.jpg?width=900&amp;format=webp 900w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1305198_hires.jpg?width=800&amp;format=webp 800w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1305198_hires.jpg?width=600&amp;format=webp 600w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1305198_hires.jpg?width=400&amp;format=webp 400w\" sizes=\"(min-width:1024px) 710px, (min-width:768px) 62vw, 97vw\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-author-block block block-configurable-views-block\">\n<div class=\"author-view grid-view js-view-dom-id-4a7ce2f5c5a4fe3687aa1a9886c845805da1cd66339457826523b03b85a7411c\">\n<div class=\"card user default\">\n<div class=\"image\"> <source srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/pictures\/picture-100393850-1649415070.jpg?height=270&amp;format=webp 270w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/pictures\/picture-100393850-1649415070.jpg?height=180&amp;format=webp 180w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/pictures\/picture-100393850-1649415070.jpg?height=90&amp;format=webp 90w\" sizes=\"100px\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"info\">\n<div class=\"header\">\n<div class=\"text\">\n<div class=\"name\">Alex Whitworth<\/div>\n<div class=\"role\">Journalist<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"desc\">\n<p>Alex joined the Crash.net team in August of 2024 having covered consumer and racing motorcycle news at Visordown for two years.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"views-element-container block block-views-blockrelated-content-related-content-block\">\n<h3>More News<\/h3>\n<div class=\"grid-view grid-2 js-view-dom-id-23f86bd7c74ea67cf923be4ac9477d2528d9623ba6e0bf791b1d2e71a0b400c5\">\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> World Superbikes  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Ducati rider\u2019s double \u201cdream\u201d Saturday at Australian WorldSBK<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1771671380\"> 21\/02\/26<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-02\/gng_1292388_hires.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Yari Montella, 2026 Australian WorldSBK. Credit: Gold and Goose.\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> World Superbikes  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Nicolo Bulega: \u201cI enjoy every lap\u201d of mythical WorldSBK track<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1771643499\"> 21\/02\/26<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-02\/gng_1291773_hires.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Nicolo Bulega, 2026 Australian WorldSBK, parc ferme. Credit: Gold and Goose.\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> World Superbikes  Results <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>2026 Phillip Island World Superbike: Saturday Practice Results<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1771632039\"> 21\/02\/26<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-02\/bulega-pic.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Nicolo Bulega, Phillip Island WorldSBK\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> World Superbikes  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>\u201cMore time\u201d needed for WorldSBK\u2019s only remaining champion after major change<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1771519615\"> 19\/02\/26<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-02\/gng_1291047_hires.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Alvaro Bautista, 2026 Phillip Island WorldSBK Test. Credit: Gold and Goose.\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> World Superbikes  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>FIRST LOOK: 2026 WorldSBK riders on track at Phillip Island<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1771213781\"> 16\/02\/26<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-02\/miguel-oliveira_1600x900.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Miguel Oliveira, 2026 Phillip Island WorldSBK Test (Gold&amp;Goose).\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> World Superbikes  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Yari Montella reveals the lesson of rain-hit Portimao WorldSBK test<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1770050974\"> 02\/02\/26<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-02\/30e0855b-f411-a6e8-8e10-96d01b3adc52.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Yari Montella, January 2026 Portimao WorldSBK Test. Credit: WorldSBK.\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"summary body\">\n<p>Alvaro Bautista thinks he has made progress in the area that has held him back most in WorldSBK recently.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"body\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Two-time WorldSBK champion Alvaro Bautista thinks he has found improvements in one area of his racing that has held him back in previous years.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Bautista is third on the all-time winning list for World Superbike, but hasn\u2019t won a race since Aragon 2024.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Throughout his WorldSBK career, especially since returning to Ducati in 2022 after two years at Honda, the Spanish rider has followed a familiar pattern in his races: slow at the start, and fast at the end.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">This pattern, at least in its first part, has been amplified since 2024 when the minimum weight rules were introduced that Bautista has so vehemently opposed, especially since the middle of last year.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">The usual analysis of his own racing pattern from Bautista is that when the fuel tank is full at the start and the bike is at its heaviest, he cannot ride as he wants, but as the fuel load decreases his confidence does the opposite and he\u2019s able to be faster.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">In 2022 and 2023, the late race pace was enough for him to come from behind and win races and eventually the title in both years, but since 2024 it\u2019s rarely been enough to achieve more than third place.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">The start of 2026, having moved to the Barni Ducati team, did not seem to offer much hope to Bautista, who was on the podium only once in the opening two rounds, that coming in the wet Race 2 in Australia where he was third.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-2c7c80ffeb8eae2783547219b98250d57d14d59d76b42e495aeec35f658d5d67\">  Former WorldSBK champion waited three weeks for Assen \u201creward\u201d   Two manufacturers hit with WorldSBK performance penalties <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Round three at Assen, however, seems to have brought progress for Bautista, who was able to be fast in the opening laps of both Sunday races, although he ultimately finished fourth, behind the factory Ducati riders and the Marc VDS Ducati of Sam Lowes.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Speaking after Race 2, Bautista explained that he was pleased with his weekend, and in particular noted that he was able to perform better in the opening laps of the races.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cWe have to be [satisfied] because, at the end, 4-4-4 this weekend, but the important thing is that we were very consistent through the weekend,\u201d Alvaro Bautista told WorldSBK.com.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article_2\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-dff44c84b402900aac66050b3ca93f5a0001ead5553d82ab543c2a1760d17754\">  Bulega WorldSBK rival vows \u201cthis is the first step\u201d after Superpole threat   Alvaro Bautista: Rain made Australian WorldSBK Race 2 \u201clike a lottery\u201d <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cToday I\u2019m happy as well because we make a small change on the bike from [Saturday] and, in the Superpole Race, I was able to push hard from the first lap that normally is where I have more problems.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201c[In Race 2], also the feeling in the first laps was much better than [Saturday] \u2013 in fact, we were able to fight with other riders without losing too much. So, the modifications we did on the bike, it worked.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cI\u2019m really happy, with the conditions today [Sunday], with the cold, light weight on the rider \u2013 it\u2019s more difficult to [make] the tyre warm.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cI was happy because the feeling improved a lot in the first few laps, but still we were a bit far from the podium fight.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cIn any case, we get the maximum we had, so I\u2019m happy for that.\u201d<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"body\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Two-time WorldSBK champion Alvaro Bautista thinks he has found improvements in one area of his racing that has held him back in previous years.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Bautista is third on the all-time winning list for World Superbike, but hasn\u2019t won a race since Aragon 2024.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Throughout his WorldSBK career, especially since returning to Ducati in 2022 after two years at Honda, the Spanish rider has followed a familiar pattern in his races: slow at the start, and fast at the end.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">This pattern, at least in its first part, has been amplified since 2024 when the minimum weight rules were introduced that Bautista has so vehemently opposed, especially since the middle of last year.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">The usual analysis of his own racing pattern from Bautista is that when the fuel tank is full at the start and the bike is at its heaviest, he cannot ride as he wants, but as the fuel load decreases his confidence does the opposite and he\u2019s able to be faster.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">In 2022 and 2023, the late race pace was enough for him to come from behind and win races and eventually the title in both years, but since 2024 it\u2019s rarely been enough to achieve more than third place.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">The start of 2026, having moved to the Barni Ducati team, did not seem to offer much hope to Bautista, who was on the podium only once in the opening two rounds, that coming in the wet Race 2 in Australia where he was third.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-2c7c80ffeb8eae2783547219b98250d57d14d59d76b42e495aeec35f658d5d67\">  Former WorldSBK champion waited three weeks for Assen \u201creward\u201d   Two manufacturers hit with WorldSBK performance penalties <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Round three at Assen, however, seems to have brought progress for Bautista, who was able to be fast in the opening laps of both Sunday races, although he ultimately finished fourth, behind the factory Ducati riders and the Marc VDS Ducati of Sam Lowes.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Speaking after Race 2, Bautista explained that he was pleased with his weekend, and in particular noted that he was able to perform better in the opening laps of the races.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cWe have to be [satisfied] because, at the end, 4-4-4 this weekend, but the important thing is that we were very consistent through the weekend,\u201d Alvaro Bautista told WorldSBK.com.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article_2\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-dff44c84b402900aac66050b3ca93f5a0001ead5553d82ab543c2a1760d17754\">  Bulega WorldSBK rival vows \u201cthis is the first step\u201d after Superpole threat   Alvaro Bautista: Rain made Australian WorldSBK Race 2 \u201clike a lottery\u201d <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cToday I\u2019m happy as well because we make a small change on the bike from [Saturday] and, in the Superpole Race, I was able to push hard from the first lap that normally is where I have more problems.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201c[In Race 2], also the feeling in the first laps was much better than [Saturday] \u2013 in fact, we were able to fight with other riders without losing too much. So, the modifications we did on the bike, it worked.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cI\u2019m really happy, with the conditions today [Sunday], with the cold, light weight on the rider \u2013 it\u2019s more difficult to [make] the tyre warm.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cI was happy because the feeling improved a lot in the first few laps, but still we were a bit far from the podium fight.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cIn any case, we get the maximum we had, so I\u2019m happy for that.\u201d<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;http:\/\/crash.net\/wsbk\/news\/1093234\/1\/has-one-worldsbk-champion-finally-solved-his-biggest-problem&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/gng_1304872_hires.jpg?width=1600&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9&#8243;] Has one WorldSBK champion finally solved his biggest problem? Alvaro Bautista thinks he has made progress in the area that has held him back most in WorldSBK recently. Alex Whitworth 20 Apr 2026 Share Alvaro Bautista, 2026 Dutch WorldSBK, pit box. Credit: Gold and Goose. \u00a9\u00a0Gold &amp; Goose Add as a preferred [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[47,226],"class_list":["post-1893772","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-politics","tag-crash-net","tag-crawlmanager"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1893772","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1893772"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1893772\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1893772"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1893772"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1893772"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}