MotoGP: Exclusive interview with Alvaro Bautista

We interviewed Alvaro Bautista, rider of the GO&Fun Gresini MotoGP Team, in Assen. We asked the Spanish rider #19 to take stock of this first part of the season, we talked about the new material brought by Showa and we "touched" other topics such as electronics, carbon brakes and the new "Time Attack" format qualifying ”.

Alvaro, what is your assessment of this first part of the season?

“It was a difficult first part of the season. This is the second year with this bike and with this Team and we have worked a lot since the pre-season. We did better than last year, but the level of the category has risen again. It's increasingly difficult, but I think we've done some positive things, now the bike has improved, I feel a little better and until the Italian GP everything was fine. Then unfortunately there were two "stops" at Mugello and Barcelona and morale dropped, even if to tell the truth we had worked well in both weekends. But these are the races and we need to move on."

Does being the only Showa driver penalize you? Or does having all the technicians to yourself help?

“It's not easy being the only driver using Showa. In fact, we don't know if the material is better or worse than the competition, because we don't have any other confirmation. The sure thing is that the suspension has improved a lot since last year. Of course it is difficult not to have comparisons such as Pedrosa and Marquez who use Ohlins, but I am sure that we will be able to make Showa work as best as possible to have an advantage."

Did you find any interesting news in the recent tests at Aragon?

“Unfortunately the weather didn't help us much, it rained on the first day and so we had to try everything on the second. We had a slightly different fork, swingarm and electronics to try, but we weren't able to try everything. However, up front the bike has improved compared to last year.”

What is the "real" position of this Honda of yours compared to the Factory bikes?

“I think the gap from the Fatory bikes isn't that much, but it exists. The goal is to fight with Crutchlow, who has a good bike, and then try to get Dani, Marc, Jorge and Valentino closer.”

What do you think of the new “Time Attack”?

“I like it a lot, you always have to be motivated to be in the top ten in free practice, to be able to directly access Q2. Then I particularly like the “Time Attack”, you concentrate for a maximum of two laps to give 110%.”

Tell us if it's more difficult to get used to carbon brakes or electronics

“Without a doubt, electronics are more difficult! Eventually you get used to the brake, while it is more important to have the electronics in order than the set-up. Today it is fundamental, these bikes have a lot of horsepower, but I would limit it, it would be more risky for the riders, but it would be more fun."

We thank you Alvaro for the interview granted and we wish you good luck for the rest of the season

“You die!”