Bautista “maybe a bit too careful” in first laps but happy to bring home 6th place

Alvaro Bautista improved on his result from Qatar by one place today as he took sixth place in his home Grand Prix at Jerez at the end of a difficult weekend.

Bizzarre weather has thrown a spanner in the works of the teams and riders ever since first practice on Friday but for Bautista this result is an important platform to build from as the series heads on to the next round at Estoril in just a week’s time and a positive way to celebrate his 150th Grand Prix appearance.

Alvaro Bautista (6th) “It has been a difficult weekend because of the weather, but finally we got dry conditions for the race even though there were a few spots around. It was really important to be patient over the opening laps, but maybe I was too careful over the opening laps and I wasn’t able to get involved in the battle at the very front. Once I got comfortable with the track conditions I was able to pass Bradl and Hayden, but Dovizioso, Pedrosa and Crutchlow were too far ahead by then and I just had to defend the position I was in. We have gone one better than Qatar and improved our confidence with this bike, which are the main things we take away from the weekend. I want to thank the team for the great job they have done especially in such challenging conditions this weekend.”

Fausto Gresini “Alvaro had a good race after a very difficult weekend because of the weather. He struggled a bit at the start, but after his crash yesterday it was important he stayed upright over the opening laps and managed to bring home the kind of result I was expecting. Maybe if he’d been more decisive in the opening stages he could have fought with Dovizioso, but he rode well anyway and we’re happy because we’re on an upward curve.”

Source: Gresini Racing