Alvaro Bautista believes that the World Superbike Championship in 2025 can see a competitive three-way battle for victory without the need for the minimum weight regulation. This rule was implemented in the 2024 season after Bautista dominated in 2023, winning 27 out of 36 races. Since then, Bautista has claimed four wins, including the last race at Aragon.
The Spanish rider has been vocal about his opposition to this rule, calling it “discrimination” on social media following the Emilia Romagna round in June. Despite struggles during practice at Donington, Bautista managed to finish third, trailing three seconds behind his Ducati teammate Nicolo Bulega and race winner Toprak Razgatlıoğlu.
Bautista criticized the rule for only penalizing riders and not the bikes, stating, “This is a big problem.” He urged the removal of what he called a nonsensical rule, suggesting that without it, fans could witness three riders fighting for wins instead of just two.
He also clarified that his previous success was not due to being lighter but rather his ability to maintain pace on used tires. Bautista explained that races often involve tough first laps where early leads are rare, but as tires wear and bikes get lighter, he gains advantage in later laps. He mentioned the challenges with forces acting on the bike during cornering, which currently work against him.
Regarding tire strategies, Bautista said his choice of SC0 tires at Donington led to difficulties compared to Nicolo Bulega’s SCX rear tires. He took a defensive approach, explaining that he couldn’t exploit SCX tires fully because of the bike’s heavier fuel load early in the race, and needed grip towards the end when the bike was lighter.
He stated, “In the race, I was able to match both of them at the same pace,” attributing differences to tire choices and strategic decisions. Bautista remarked that while SCX tires allowed less pushing early on, his chosen SC0 tires suited the bike’s changing weight better. He concluded by saying that all riders should compete under equal conditions to truly test their skills.
Fan Take: This debate over minimum weight rules is crucial for WorldSBK fans as it impacts the fairness and excitement of races. If the rule is lifted, the championship could see a more dynamic and unpredictable title fight, bringing greater thrill and competition to the sport.
