MADRID, 13 Nov. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Spanish motorcycle rider Álvaro Bautista (Ducati) was proclaimed World Superbike Champion (WorldSBK) this Sunday, the second Spaniard with the title after Carlos Checa, also with Ducati, in 2011.
Bautista, 37, emerged as champion from Mandalika (Indonesia), enduring pressure from defending champion Toprak Razgatlioglu (Yamaha) and six-time champion Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki).
The Spaniard began his return to Ducati with two wins at the opening round in Aragon. At Assen he took another step forward while an accident at Donington Park cut his momentum short. The talaverano reacted later with 15 podiums in the following 18 races.
His hat-trick in Barcelona and his fight with the contenders in Estoril put the World Cup on track. “It’s incredible. I’m very happy, it’s a dream come true, especially after the difficulties of the last two years. Today for the first time I was nervous. I managed my emotions and held on to second”, said the Spaniard, with that position served the title.
“My consistency has been important. I have beaten Jonathan, a six-time champion, and Toprak, another champion, breaking all the records in all the circuits, which means that the level was high. We have been able to win with this incredible level”, he added.