Assen WorldSBK: Alvaro Bautista wants more after 'tasting victory again'

Alvaro Bautista heads to Assen as the WorldSBK championship leader following his double win in Aragon, but can he repeat the success of three years ago?
Alvaro Bautista, Ducati WorldSBK Aragon
Alvaro Bautista, Ducati WorldSBK Aragon

Bautista is just one of two riders to beat six-time WorldSBK champion Jonathan Rea at Assen since 2015 - the other being Tom Sykes during race two in 2018.&nbs🐓p;

Bautista’s double win remains his only podiu🐼m finishes at the Dutch circuit, whether that be across WorldSBK or MotoGP. 

But following a brilliant Sunday in Aragon where he dominated both races, the Aru💃ba.it Ducati rider looks back to his ♌best as he attempts to bring Ducati a long-awaited WorldSBK title. 

The Itꦬalian manufacturer has made no bones about the potential of its Panigale V4 R, which is why minimal changes have taken place over the last few years. 

So with Bautista back aboard 🐈their machine and looking as ready as ever to challenge the likes of Rea and world champion Top🃏rak Razgatlioglu, it's no wonder the Spaniard feels great about his chances this weekend.

Alvaro Bautista, Aragon WorldSBK, 10 April
Alvaro Bautista, Aragon WorldSBK, 10 April

"The firs♛t weekend of the season was very positive," said Bautista. "I had fun and I tasted again the feeling of victory, but the most important thing is that we were always fast and consistent. 

"We arrive at Assen with a great fee🌳ling, obviously. This circuit I like a lot, although we may have surprises in terms of weather conditions. 

"It's a very nice an𒈔d smooth track, I hope I will be as confꦬident as I was three years ago. We'll try to get the best from each race."

Will Razgatlioglu take his first win of the 2022 WorldSBK season? 

One rider who should be battling for the win come Sa🐲turday’s race one is Razgatlioglu. 

Despite the Pata Yamaha rider calling Aragon ‘a good weekend’, the Turk was visibly disappointed by not being able to chall🌃enge Rea and Bautista for victory as front tyre grip was a sizable problem aboard his R1. 

I𒐪n the aftermath of race two, Razgatlioglu said: "For me it was a good weekend, I tried in the race to improve and I’m fighting with Johnny sometime🙈s, but in the last laps my tyres had a big drop in grip and I am not able to fight again. 

"Thir๊d positi𓂃on is not bad and I was again on the podium, so this is good."

But with that said, three podiums was by far Razgatlioglu’s best showing at Aragon, which is likel♔y to be an ominous sign for the rest of the field. 

Although Razgatlioglu was unable to matc🌳h Rea during the opening two races at Assen last season, the 25 year-old still managed to claim his first podiums at the Dutch venue, before being taken out in race two by Garrett Gerloff. 

Looking to correct the wrongs of said race, Razgatlioglu has one thing on his mind… victorie🀅s! 

Toprak Razgatlioglu, Aragon WorldSBK Race2, 9 April
Toprak Razgatlioglu, Aragon WorldSBK Race2, 9 April

Razgatlioglu said: "I like Assen a lot and even with s🍃ome bad luck, last year we were very strong there. 

"I hope to be able to fight for race wins again and will try my best. I am very lucky to have an incredible team – Yamaha and the team, they never ൩give up, they have done an incredible job over the winter and we have been fastest in winter testing again and again – also pole position in Aragon. 

"It is this feeling I want to take to Assen, we will try ourꦦ best to work for the races and we will see."

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