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Alvaro Bautista was smiling at the end of the first of the two days of World Superbike testing on the Montmeló track, which will host the second round of the championship in a week’s time. Despite having ended Thursday in third position, 7 tenths from the benchmark set by his teammate, Nicolò Bulega, the two-time world champion confirmed the good sensations already felt in the last race of the weekend in Australia, in which he fought for the victory until the last lap.
“Now, I am happy because I am feeling like I am back again. After the Australian Round, I was quite confident and, today, I started like a bit awkward but then I felt good on the bike. I can say I don’t have problems riding the bike” declared the 39-year-old at the end of the day.
Having finally left behind the physical problems that affected him throughout the winter, Alvaro was able to concentrate on the sensations astride his Panigale V4R
“We didn’t make a lot of changes because, for me, it’s important to get the feeling with the bike. The bike is basically the same as last year. A bit more weight but basically the bike didn’t change. It’s important to get the feeling, get used to the new weight of the bike and see in which areas we can push more or less,” concluded the Spanish rider, who will return to the saddle tomorrow to continue his preparation in view of the next round in Catalunya.
Bulega: “Not a bad feeling to be P1, it gives me confidence”
On the other side of the Aruba.it Racing - Ducati team garage, Nicolò Bulega can only say he is satisfied with the performance achieved on this first day of testing in Barcelona. Not only did the native of Montecchio Emilia take first place in the time rankings, but he did so by stopping one step away from the Montmeló track record and inflicting significant gaps on his opponents.
“It’s not a bad feeling to be P1! – commented Nicolò - I know it’s just a test, but it gives me a lot of confidence to be P1 but also if I was P2; I’m fast, so it’s good.”
Excellent references with which to approach the second round of the season, especially because the reigning Supersport champion found himself at ease with his Panigale V4R in all conditions and with all types of tyres.
“I used the SCQ, I think like everybody. I used it like Alvaro, Toprak and a lot of guys. I tried the new Pirelli C900 tyre, and I liked it; I think it can be a good choice for the round. All the tyres I tried today, I had a good feeling – admitted Bulegas – We concentrated a lot on the clutch because, in Australia, my three starts were bad. We tried something new on the clutch to start better. I improved a little bit, so I’m happy, but when you are in the races, it’s more difficult.”
