Alvaro Bautista’s WorldSBK journey with Ducati began in 2019, when he made an impressive debut, winning a class-record 11 races in a row. This spectacular start raised the possibility that he could put an end to Jonathan Rea’s dominance. However, a series of difficulties in the second half of the year relegated him to second place in the overall standings, behind the Northern Irishman. Following this disappointing conclusion, Bautista decided to leave Ducati at the end of the 2019 season in search of a new experience at Honda, where he competed during the 2020 and 2021 seasons.
After two challenging years at Honda, Alvaro Bautista returned to Ducati in 2022, achieving a highly successful return for both himself and the brand. In his comeback season, he racked up 16 wins and 31 podiums from 36 races, earning him his first Superbike World title and Ducati’s first Riders’ Championship since 2011, beating Turkish rider Toprak Razgatlioglu. Bautista continued his winning streak in 2023, defending his title with a record 27 wins in a single season, establishing himself as one of the most dominant riders in the category.
Throughout 2024, Alvaro Bautista is not having an easy time of it, and has expressed on several occasions his dissatisfaction with the sensations that his Ducati Panigale V4 R gave him, compared to the previous season. However, at the last race held in Most, Bautista expressed feeling more comfortable with his bike and hinted at his desire to continue with the team. Finally, at 39 years old, the Spanish rider has decided to extend his commitment to Ducati, ensuring his participation in the 2025 season.
Despite a significant reduction in the number of wins and podiums, Bautista remains in third place in the overall standings after the first seven rounds of the championship. To date, he has achieved a total of 61 victories in WorldSBK, all of them with Ducati, making him the most successful rider in the brand’s history.
Now, let’s read what the protagonists say.
Alvaro Bautista
“I am delighted to continue another season with Ducati, with Aruba and with this beautiful team, which is like a family to me. I feel physically and mentally perfect, and I am sure that I can continue to be competitive. In addition, the relationship with everyone is extraordinary, from the mechanics to the management, including the sponsors, which makes me even happier. I want to thank Ducati, Aruba, Stefano Cecconi, Daniele Casolari and Serafino Foti for the trust they have placed in me. I hope to be able to repay them by having fun both on the track and in the final rounds.”
Stefano Cecconi, team manager:
“I have said many times that our priority was to continue with Álvaro, and I couldn’t wait to officially announce the renewal of our collaboration. It is a pleasure to work with him, both from a personal and professional point of view. I am convinced that, if we continue to work hard together, we will be able to overcome the challenges presented by the new regulations. During the last few races, we have found solutions that have allowed Álvaro to rediscover the sensations he lacked at the beginning of the year. Now we must continue along this path to have a great end to the season and close the gap that separates us from the top.”
Gigi Dall’Igna, General Director of Ducati Corse:
“We are delighted to continue with Álvaro Bautista. He has given us great emotions in recent seasons and his talent remains unquestionable. The new regulations and the very high level reached by WorldSBK will make 2025 a challenge, but we are ready to face it together. For now, it is important to remain focused on the current season. The championship is long, and we will do everything possible to ensure that Álvaro is in a position to defend the title until the end.”
