Motorsports
Alvaro Bautista says superbike minimum weight laws are ‘unfair and unjust’
world super bike rider Alvaro Bautista Regarding the minimum weight rule, which sets a specific combined weight of rider and bike, and has been incorporated into the rules of the World Superbike Championship (WorldSBK) for the 2024 season. It means “unjust and unfair.”
Norms produce Riders weighing less than 80 kg must add ballast to their motorcycle: 0.5 kg for every 1 kg missing to reach that weight, up to a maximum of 10 kg of ballast. In the case of the Spanish pilot, he was forced to do this. Adds about 7 kg.
During a visit to his hometown of Talavera de la Reina City Hall in Toledo, Bautista explained to the media that he was fighting this rule to “make the sport more fair.” All pilots “can use the same weapons and compete under comparable conditions”.
The Talavera man also responded to critics suggesting he would retire and give up the sport, saying he did not think it was fair to retire due to “unfair” measures, stressing: He still feels “competitive and has a chance to win.”
Bautista recalled that he himself collected signatures to repeal this rule. All pilots participating in next year’s World Championship will participate..
However, he elaborated, “It is not an easy decision” as it is decided through the factory and construction associations.
In addition to the “unfairness of the rules” that harm physically smaller riders, this motorcyclist said: Motorcycle safety is reduced; Because “a heavier bike increases the risk of falling and requires more space to brake.”
Bautista pointed out: If all pilots agree, we need to hear their opinionsbecause they are the ones who drive, “the ones who risk their lives, the ones who know what happens on the track.”
Talavera native Alvaro Bautista will be competing in the colors of another team in the 2026 Superbike World Championship. Aruba.i Racing -He won the World Championship twice- verni spark racing team.
The Spaniard said the changes in the squad represent a change in circumstances, but Still in the Ducati familyAs confirmed by Ducati Official Team General Director, he will receive official support from the factory, official bikes, materials and engineers. Luigi Dalligna.
On this new stage for the Barni Spark Racing Team, the Talavera driver said: He believes he has a chance to win the world championship.
Source: Mundo Deportivo
I am a writer at Sportish, where I mainly cover sports news. I’ve also written for The Guardian and ESPN Brasil, and my work has been featured on NBC Sports, SI.com and more. Before working in journalism, I was an athlete: I played football for Colgate University and competed in the US Open Cross Country Championships.