WorldSBK Phillip Island: Whitham reviews Ducati domination…

Not for the first time is it being said that what happens at Philip Island is not an accurate guide for the rest of the season and while Alvaro Bautista must be a clear favourite to retain his title, the other two members of the ‘Titanic Trio’, Messrs Rea and Razgatlioglu have a fight on their hands.

A week ago James Whitham alongside many others exuded confidence when being asked to forecast the favourites for the title. And it was those mentioned above, had he been a betting man, which would have attracted his tenner even though he recognised there was a long way to go.

Nevertheless Bikesportnews.com couldn’t risk putting the question: “We’ve said this before, you can’t judge the season by what happens in Australia but what do you think now?”

Whitham: “Well yes, a little bit of me is still what we said. We knew the Ducati was going to be strong, it is obvious when you’re subtly improving a bike which was already good, it is difficult to do something to a bike that didn’t already work so well. In that respect the Ducati has been like I expected.

“[Michael] Rinaldi impressed me. I have been reading a bit about him and he’s fitter, stronger and mentally focused. With two podiums he’s obviously near the front and the bike looked better, more stable coming out of corners.

“That said, in race one Bautista was all over the place but it was more due to the conditions and tyres. Other people who have made steps include [Andrea] Locatelli - he looks alright on the bike. Disappointments were obviously Toprak, it was a bit of a mixed meeting for him but Jonathan Rea was the big loser. In race one he was a bit unlucky due to either a small mechanical or electrical glitch. The problem you can have these days is when the quick shifter