MotoGP

Bautista Happy To Salvage Seventh In Qatar

2 Mins read
Alvaro Bautista - Photo Credit: MotoGP.com

Alvaro Bautista - Photo Credit: MotoGP.com

 

Alvaro Bautista bounced back from a crash in warm-up to finish seventh on his debut for San Carlo Honda Gresini in Qatar. The Spaniard still feels he has work to do before he is totally comfortable with the RC213V but is satisfied with the points gained.

“We have finished a problematic weekend in a good way. I have struggled for front feel in practice and then we had another crash on a cold tyre in warm-up. That was a problem for us because we had gone back to the setting from winter testing but only got chance to try it on the sighting lap and warm-up lap. I made a good start and stayed with the group I was in, fighting for sixth to the end and only just missing out. We were still lacking some front feel and a bit of speed in corner exit, which would have helped out in the fight with Hayden. Anyway, I am happy because it is the first race I have finished since Aragon last year so that’s important. I have to thank the whole team for working so hard to give me the bike I’m asking for. I have great confidence in them and I am sure we will improve for the next race.”

Teammate Michele Pirro failed to finish on his debut in the MotoGP class after his FTR-Honda with a technical problem. Like Bautista, the Italian is still learning the equipment underneath him and is confident he can move forward later in the year.

“We’re still having some teething problems with the bike and it’s frustrating for me because I actually got a good start tonight. Lap by lap I started to have problems with the rear wheel and had to come back in. It has been more like a test for us than a race and I’m disappointed because we showed good pace in practice and I think we could have had a good race. But it’s a new bike so we have to be patient and trust that better times are ahead.”

Team Manager Fausto Gresini praised Bautista for picking up eight points despite difficulties and also paid tribute to Pirro for leading their CRT project on its debut weekend.

“Alvaro had a good race considering the fact he was lacking confidence with the front throughout practice and crashed in warm-up. He rode well after a difficult weekend and showed that he has the potential to take this bike forward over the coming season. It was important to finish the race and he did that without ever backing down from the fight for sixth so I am happy and confident about the future. We had some problems with the CRT but we know how much work we have to do. Well done to Michele for the effort he put in and thanks to the team for their continued hard work and belief in this project, which gives us all motivation for the season ahead.”

Avatar photo
5101 posts

About author
MotoGP, Moto2, Moto3 and WorldSBK writer for The Checkered Flag. Contact: [email protected]
Articles
Related posts
MotoGPNASCAR Cup Series

Trackhouse Racing Team entering MotoGP in 2024

1 Mins read
NASCAR Cup Series team Trackhouse Racing will become a MotoGP team in 2024 as they partner with Aprilia to field bikes for Miguel Oliveira and Raul Fernandez.
DakarMotoGP

Marc Marquez shoots down running Dakar Rally on bike

3 Mins read
As much as MotoGP great Marc Márquez likes the Dakar Rally, he has no interest in racing it on a bike. While it has its own challenges, he did not necessarily rule out a run on four wheels.
MotoGPSportscars

MotoGP star Rossi announced as BMW M Motorsports driver for 2023

2 Mins read
BMW M Motorsport has announced the MotoGP legend Valentino Rossi as a works driver for 2023