The reigning WorldSBK champion appears destined to make it back-to-back titles despite only four rounds of the 2023 season ꦬhaving taken place.

Winner of 11 from 12 races, Bautista, along with Duc♐ati have proved to be an even greater obstacle to overcome for theꦚ remainder of the WorldSBK grid.

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However, the same type of success is not being had by other Ducati riders, including teammate Michael Ruben ☂Rinaldi who is a𓆉gain facing uncertainty when it comes to his position within the team for 2024.

Bautista is already secure for next season after signing a🍸 new one-year deal with the team, and although his relationship with Rinaldi is a strong one, the former MotoGP rider is not bothered about who lines up alonꦚgside him. 

Bautista told : "I don’t know who my teammate will be. Honestly, I don’t have a preference. For sure, I ha🧜ve a really good relationship with Rinaldi, but I know that many riders want to have th🐼at bike. 

"It will be a difficult decision for the team. Anyway, for me, it doesn’t change anything. It would be interesting🏅 to see a top rider who says that I win because of the bike⭕ to have the chance to ride the bike. 

"I know that to have two top rideℱrs in the same team is difficult to manage so I don’t think Ducati wants this."

Bautista hits back at ‘lightweight’ claims again after stunning WorldSBK performances

While some believed that Bautista had a clear advantage due to his light frame last season,♛ and still do, the Ducati rider has consistently shown an ability to win on all types of tracks and conditions.

Yes, B🎃autista appears even more dominant at circuits with longer straights, but Assen, Mandalika and Phillip Island were clear signs that Bautista is a big reason as to why he’s making the difference. 

"When people say I win because I have tꦡhe best b🦹ike or I’m light or whatever… for me, my bike is the best," added Bautista. "If you don’t have a good bike, a good team and you are not a fast rider, you cannot win. 

"In the end, it’s the combination. I give my best with the bike and use all the performance of the Ducati. I don’t think I win because I’m light o🦋r because I have the best bike. I have the whole package to win. 

"A🌃t the moment, I’m not complaining about my 2023 season. More than the results, I think the feeling I have with the bike has been the best feeling in my whole career. 

"It means I can do everything on the bike, and it follows my riding style, so I enjoy every lap, every corner so I’m so happy, more than the results, for the feeling I ha🥀ve with the bike and with the team."