Alvaro Bautista will be in his second year of MotoGP racing and in 2011 will be Rizla Suzuki’s sole rider after the team decided to cut back on it’s partecipation in the 2011 championship.
In an interview with Spanish website AS.
es Bautista talked about his expectations for the upcoming season, his bike and obviously what he thinks of Valentino Rossi in Ducati and the fact that his contract with Suzuki is up at the end of the year.
“It will not be the same starting all over again like it was last year; now with the experience and all the set-ups I just need to go faster, because there’s already path.
Now it’s not enough anymore to fight to be among the top 10.
Now we need to aim for more and at least be where we finished last year, around 7th and 8th place.
To do that, it’s essential to develop a good bike.
If that can be done, then a podium is within my reach,” said Bautista.
Talking about the fact that Suzuki is considered the worst bike on the grid, Bautista says, “It’s complicated.
All I know is that the bike improved during last season with the work done by myself and the team.
The bike is getting better.
It is like when Rossi went to Yamaha and nobody wanted to ride the bike and now it’s the best.
The bike needs work and Suzuki being a factory, can produce a competitive machine.
You just need to know how to do it.
”And regarding Valentino Rossi, the Spanish rider was asked about the Italian’s fitness and his move to Ducati.
“Honestly, I think it’s taking the pressure off of him.
He went to Ducati which is a fast bike, but a difficult one.
He needs to work with it and develop a bike that works for everybody and for every circuit.
With the exception of Stoner, who would even go fast on a Vespa scooter.
Last year we saw that Hayden could fight for the podium at some tracks, but at others he was 12th.
Rossi needs time and he says that he has trouble with his shoulder.
So later, if he does well, it’ll be a miracle and he’ll be a hero, but if he doesn’t go well, it’ll be because of the shoulder.
It’s his way to gain time.
”With his contract up at the end of the 2011 season Bautista said, “I’ll have to make a good start in the season, because contract signings happen very quickly in the paddock, but I’ll look out more for my own evolution.
than for possible offers.
Additionally, we’ll be switching to 1000cc in 2012, so it’s necessary to see what happens there.
For me the 800cc is still quite a handful, so I’m not sure what I would do with a 1000ccc…