The current WorldSBK champion, who has won ﷺeight of the first nine races this season, is the clear f🍨avourite to claim a third hat-trick of the year this weekend.

Bautista won all three races in Catalunya last season, and given the level ofꦯ dominance he’s already shown so fa🍃r in 2023, making it six out of the last six in his home country looks like a safe bet at the moment. 

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The 🍒likes of Jonathan Rea and🔯 Toprak Razgatlioglu will be expected to challenge the Spaniard, but the main issue with beating Bautista has been staying close to him late on in races. 

However, before racing gets underway this weekend, there’s tꩵhe not so small matter of Bautista’s future being decided.

Speaking ahead of Assen two weeks ago,🅠 Bautista said: "Before the season started, ♔I said that after the third [round] I will take a decision [for 2024].

"We have had three rounds, and now have one and half weeks at home - with my fa🎃mily, with my daughter, and I will ask them their opinion.

"Because now my daught𝓡er starts to be bigger and understands that: Daddy 🧜is out, Daddy is travelling, Daddy is not at home... So it’s not easy!

"I’m really happy with my performance right now in my professional life, but also the personal [life] is b🎃ecoming more special and more important.

"Let’s see. Now we have a couple of days to think about it and try to take a de༒cision for me, for my family, and also for the team as soon as possible."

Ducati have since confirmed a press conference will be held on Th🌺ursday, which is sure to address🍸 Bautista’s future.

Remaining with Ducati, which some believe is the most likely scenario, would mean Bautista could be challenging for a thir💙d consecutive title should he go on to win the championship in 2023. 

But if Bautista does retire, then what next for Ducati? Michael Ruben Rinaldi could inherit the ꦍrole of team leader, although the Italian remains inconsistent and does not appear to have the level required to beat the likes of Razgatlioglu or Rea at present.

Axel Bassani could also be promote𒁏d to the team alongside Rinaldi or another rider, however, it’s likely that Ducati could be in the market for a big name to come and ꦅlead the team.

In terms of WorldSBK riders, Razgatlioglu is the clear favourite based on talent and results in recent seasons. The Turkish star is still in the mix for a move to Yamaha in MotoGP, remaining with Yamaha in WorldSBK, or even moving to another manufacturer if rumou🐲rs are to be believed.

There has been talk of BMW and Honda approaching Razgatlioglu’s manager Kenan Sofuoglu, although both manufacturers remain less competitive than the likes of Duca🍌ti, Yamaha and Kawasaki which doesn’t look great for their chances of securing Razgatlioglu.

A💮 rider who has vast amounts of experience, great results in MotoGP and is a name that would signal intent from Ducati’s point of view is Johann Zarco.

The Pramac Ducati rider is under contract until the end of the season, and while the Frenchman could remain with the team, there’s the possibility that his timeꩲ with Ducati could come to an end in MotoGP, meaning a switch to Wo♍rldSBK could be of interest.

The Aruba.it Ducati team is one of the best on the grid, plus the Panigale V4 R is arguably the best package on the grid, tw🌟o things that could entice someone like Zarco iꦚf options to remain in MotoGP were limited.