WorldSBK Estoril: ‘Slow sectors we are not so strong’ - Bautista

Alvaro Bautista nearly took his second win of the weekend at Estoril on Sunday afternoon but a determined push into the final chicane on the last lap allowed Jonathan Rea to muscle and massage his Kawasaki inside Bautista’s Ducati, and hold on for a narrow but emphatic win.

Bautista recalled the event vividly just after the podium ceremony. “In the last overtake, he did me,” said the Spaniard. “I lost the line, because I close the door and he arrive and open the door. He put the bike inside and then I have to pick up. Then the exit I lose more than with Toprak yesterday. Also at the end, on the last lap, the light rain that it was doing on the race, was a bit harder. So, I tried to be close in the last corner but I was sliding and it was not very safe.

“At the end, this time I didn’t win, but I’m happy because I felt better than this morning in these conditions. So, it has been a very good race for us. I battled with the others, braking hard. So I’m happy with the feeling I have during the race.”

Bautista expected a final attack from Rea, who he knew was quite close behind. “For sure, I expect it,” said Bautista. “For that reason, I expect him. In turn seven, he tried to pass me and I was prepared to retake the lead. In fact, I did it. In the chicane, I knew he’d try. But I just leave a few meters between the inside curb and me, but he just put the bike inside. In that corner it’s difficult to defend, more than I did. Also, it’s very difficult to recover the positions because then it’s very close to the other corner and you don’t have a space. I tried to defend and at the end I cannot defend my position. He gained the position very well. But for sure, with Jonathan, I arrive to the last corner and I’m sure that he’ll try