Álvaro Bautista and the Ducati V4R – the ballast is just one of his problems

Ever since the FIM introduced a weight rule into the 2024 Superbike regulations, Álvaro Bautista’s results have been on the decline. In the first year, the 41-year-old managed to secure four wins whilst finishing third in the World Championship; in 2025 – again finishing third overall – he failed to secure a single one. This year, the two-time Superbike World Champion has managed just one podium finish in 22 races on the new V4R, whilst all the other Ducati riders are achieving better results than before.

To his credit, Bautista suffered a serious foot injury at Most, which plagued him for a long time. “My foot is better,” Bautista confirmed to our colleagues at motosan. “At first I recovered quickly, but now it’s taking much longer for the swelling to go down completely. Nevertheless, I can carry on with my life as normal.”

For Bautista, the final four Superbike rounds – the World Championship resumes at Magny-Cours on the first weekend of September – are about nothing less than the continuation of his career, as for team boss Marco Barnabo, only the results count in the end.

The lightweight Bautista never tires of emphasising that his problems are linked to the introduction of the combined total weight rule. However, he now also admits to fundamental difficulties with the 2026 V4R.

“The previous model suited my riding style better. We practically grew up together, as we both made our debuts in the World Superbike Championship in 2019. I was the benchmark during development – it was a bike I felt was my own. Although the performance was worse with the ballast, the basic set-up suited me, and I felt less restricted by the extra weight,” explained the family man. “The new bike was designed for slightly taller and heavier riders; it’s larger than the previous model. The double-sided swingarm undoubtedly has its advantages, but in my situation it’s harder to make the most of them. The base is different; I’m small, and with the ballast it’s even harder for me.”