Special XII: Álvaro Bautista, new horizons for the Rizla Suzuki MotoGP

The 12th MotoGP special is dedicated to the last rookie I have left to present, Álvaro Bautista, the Talavera native has moved up to the premier class with a Suzuki after weighing several options during last season, but in the end the offer from the Rizla Suzuki MotoGP is the one that excited him most.

The young rider has stood out in every category he has passed through, from the Spanish Speed Championship, which he won in 2003, to the world championship displacements of 125cc and 250cc, although the high point of his career came in 2006 when he was crowned number one in 125cc with an Aprilia, after a great season.

After winning the title he decided to move up to 250cc, a category in which he stood out with a fourth place overall in his first season, winning two races that same year, which made him one of the favourites heading into 2008. However, he could not beat a combative Simoncelli and had to settle for the runner-up spot.

In 2009 things did not go as well: many crashes cost him every chance at the title that both the rider and the team had, closing out his time in the intermediate class with a fourth place overall.

Now he has reached the premier class, where things will not be easy at all, because there are rivals operating at a very high level who will not let newcomers achieve good results. Luckily he has a teammate who can help him given his experience in the championship.

Personal profile

Name: Álvaro Bautista.
Number: 19
Team: Rizla Suzuki MotoGP.
Place of birth: Talavera de la Reina (Toledo).
Date of birth: 21/11/1984
GP debut: Spain 2002
1st win: Spain 2006
Last win: Catalonia 2009
Races: 116
Wins: 16
Podiums: 16
Poles: 17
Fastest laps: 21

Palmarès

2003 – CEV 125 Champion.
2004 – 7th World 125cc / Aprilia.
2005 – 15th World 125cc / Honda.
2006 – 125cc Champion / Aprilia.
2007 – 4th World 250cc / Aprilia.
2008 – 2nd World 250cc / Aprilia.
2009 – 4th World 250cc / Aprilia.

Personal Opinion

The Toledano has a difficult season ahead, although it seems the Suzuki works quite well, though much better under the command of Loris Capirossi. It is also normal for the Spaniard to need an adaptation period both to the machinery and to the category.

So the important thing is to rack up kilometres and gradually gain more experience. If he does not get stressed and keeps evolving, he will surely achieve positive results, but if he becomes anxious or nervous because races do not turn out as he hoped, he will have a very tough season.

Bautista’s goals with a factory bike would be to fight for the rookie of the year title, although he will need to improve at every Grand Prix to show that he can contend for this position. Above all he must focus on finishing every race and, of course, scoring as many points as possible in all of them, while taking care not to make youthful mistakes.

We will keep watching MotoGP.

Photo | MotoGP Official website