Álvaro Bautista, who spent nine consecutive years in MotoGP and later became a champion in Superbikes, has shared his insights on the current state of the MotoGP championship. He believes that the advancements in technology within MotoGP have narrowed the gap between the most talented riders and those who might not be as naturally gifted.
Having been a part of the MotoGP grid for nearly a decade, Bautista has a deep understanding of what it takes to compete at the highest level of motorcycle racing. After his tenure in MotoGP, he transitioned to the Superbikes World Championship. His success in Superbikes was evident when he achieved a triple win with Ducati in the WSBK in 2022. This accomplishment earned him a test ride with the Desmosedici, Ducati’s premier MotoGP prototype.
Despite his shift to Superbikes, Bautista continues to closely follow MotoGP and has formed a distinct perspective on the championship’s current state, especially considering the technological evolutions of the motorcycles and their impact on race outcomes.
He commented on the influence of electronic aids in the sport, such as the holeshot devices, stating, “With the electronic aids, the holeshots, etc., it’s now harder to differentiate between a very strong rider and a MotoGP champion. It’s also challenging to distinguish a factory rider from a satellite team rider. When I was racing, the scenario was very different.”
Bautista further elaborated on this by citing the example of some riders who race with Ducati. He mentioned, “We see this with riders like Pecco [Bagnaia], [Marco] Bezzecchi, or [Luca] Marini. The real difference emerges when everything aligns perfectly to extract the maximum potential from the motorcycle.”
In essence, Bautista’s observations highlight the evolving landscape of MotoGP, where technological advancements play a significant role in leveling the playing field. The introduction of advanced electronic systems and other technological aids has, in Bautista’s view, made it more challenging to distinguish between the elite riders and those who might not have the same level of natural talent. This evolution underscores the importance of not just rider skill but also the synergy between the rider and their machine, as well as the team’s ability to harness the full potential of the technology at their disposal.