Alvaro Bautista, while at Magny-Cours for his WSBK race, keenly observed the events at Misano, the circuit that hosted the San Marino Grand Prix. This race marked Dani Pedrosa’s second appearance in a MotoGP competition. The results were outstanding, and Bautista, the reigning Ducati World Champion in the category for production-based motorcycles, took note. He is set to make a wild-card appearance at Sepang during the upcoming Malaysian Grand Prix.
Initially, Bautista’s wild-card entry was meant to be a celebratory gesture, a reward for clinching a world title that Ducati had been chasing since 2011. However, Pedrosa’s stellar performance, which included two fourth-place finishes in the Sprint race and the Grand Prix, as well as top-tier performances in the qualifiers and all practice sessions, has set a benchmark. This benchmark now serves as a reference point for all test riders or retired racers making guest appearances.
Bautista on Pedrosa’s Performance
Speaking to crash.net, Bautista expressed his happiness for Pedrosa, stating, “I’m pleased with Dani’s result. It shows that riders from our generation are at a high level, even with the pressure from younger riders.” Reflecting on his upcoming race, Bautista added, “We’ll see what happens at Sepang. Right now, there’s more pressure on me because I have to do what he did!” He concluded by praising Pedrosa, saying, “I’m just happy for him because he’s a great guy and an excellent rider.”
However, Bautista’s situation differs from Pedrosa’s. While he is an official WSBK rider and is in the rhythm of competition, he will be returning to MotoGP races at Sepang after a break of nearly five years. The 2006 125cc World Champion has raced for Suzuki, Honda, Aprilia, and Ducati in the MotoGP category from 2010 to 2018. He has achieved three podium finishes but has never secured a win in MotoGP. His best personal performance in the premier class was fifth in the overall standings in the 2012 season.
Bautista’s Take on the Opportunity
On his wild-card opportunity, Bautista shared, “I’m fortunate that Ducati and Aruba are giving me this chance at Sepang. For Ducati, the best option was Valencia. But when I do a wild-card, I want to enjoy it. I don’t want any expectations regarding results. I don’t like the Valencia track; everything is too small, like a karting track. The weather is likely cold, and there might be rain. I raced my last MotoGP race there in 2018, and it rained the entire weekend. If I have a choice, I prefer Sepang. I love that track, and I’m sure I’ll have fun there. Ducati mentioned that this would be a bit more expensive, but they’re going ahead. Winning the 2022 title is an added bonus.”
Bautista’s comments highlight the challenges and pressures riders face, not just from the competition but also from their predecessors’ achievements. As the MotoGP season progresses, it will be interesting to see how Bautista fares in Sepang, especially with the weight of expectations set by Pedrosa’s recent performance.