Photos: Álvaro Bautista during the U.S. Grand Prix at Laguna Seca

It was a great weekend for the Talaverano in the U.S. before heading for the midseason break. Feeling confident and posting competitive laptimes from the first practice on, Álvaro went on to take his first front row start of the season and then battle valiantly for the final podium spot in the race, losing out by the smallest of margins over the line. Despite ultimately missing out on the reward of a rostrum position the return to competitiveness imbued the Spaniard with new optimism and he will hope to continue this form once the MotoGP circus returns in August.

Sources: Gresini Racing/Milagro, Honda Pro Images, Bridgestone Motorsport