Álvaro Bautista’s World Superbike dominance on his Ducati this year is on the level of Max Verstappen in F1. Last year, the one from Talavera de la Reina won his first World Championship in the highest category of production motorcycles with the Italian company, and this year it is heading for the same path but in an even bigger way .
In the 33 rounds contested in the current championship, Bautista has won 24. In only three of the remaining 9 did he finish outside the podium. And as happened with the massive dominance of Jonathan Rea and Kawasaki a few years ago, when the World Superbike Championship began to limit the revolutions of the green bikes in order to have more equality and Ducati could be closer, now, there is a clear ‘Anti Law’.-Baptist’.
Obviously, World Superbike did not present the new regulations this way. But in one of the points of the statement where the tournament announced its new laws, the following was written: “In 2024, the FIM-DWO-MSMA agreed on a combined weight of each rider and motorcycle.” There is a rule against Álvaro.
What Álvaro’s rivals demanded was applied
Last year, a huge controversy arose, with criticisms from some of his companions on the grill about the weight of the Spaniard. One of the strongest is Scott ReddingWHO He accused Bautista of racing with an advantage over other drivers because he was lighter, something he called unfair. In addition, Redding emphasized that a driver with less weight does not consume more tires.
Bautista is tired of responding to such words, accusations focused on his dominance in a question of weight and physique and not talent and piloting. But facing 2024, he found out that the Superbike Commission (Dorna, FIM and MSMA) created a regulation that follows the demand of Álvaro’s opponents, a minimum weight between the rider and the machine that could harm him if he needs to add your motorcycle’s Ballast to the following. It is understood, therefore, that this is a regulation created to end the overwhelming superiority of the Spaniard and thus add chaos to the battles on the track in the races that Álvaro now manages with ease for the most part.
Bautista’s reaction
“I like that ‘anti-Baptist law’ because in the end, it’s reality. Nobody was complaining a couple of years ago. Things sting,” Bautista wrote on social networks in response to a journalist’s comment that revealed the said law.
Later, Bautista posted an image eating two piadina accompanied by a “ready for 2024”. In this photo, Bautista’s reaction to the publication of these intentions for the 2024 regulations is ironic, as if he is trying to gain weight for next year. He made it clear that he is more and more hungry to continue winning, even if he still has to row against the tide.
The new regulations:
FUEL FLOW CONTROL: Data collection in 2024, application in 2025.
To encourage environmental regulations and provide a platform for manufacturers to further develop their engines in these areas in the future, it has been decided that from 2025 it will be mandatory to use a fuel flow control system. Therefore, in 2024, two bikes from each factory will have to install a fuel flow meter and record data during training and racing to prove the concept and determine the value for 2025.
TANK REDUCTION AND REGULATION USE: Smaller tank
In 2024, the maximum fuel tank capacity will be set at 21.0 liters.
Combined weight: New rules for 2024
In 2024, the FIM-DWO-MSMA agreed on a combined weight per rider and bike.
RPM LIMITS: Changes at the moment of setting limits, change of intervention rules
This point is discussed with the joint weight. In 2024, the RPM limits will be set before the start of the season by agreement of the FIM-DWO-MSMA and will not be reduced during the season (except for the FIM-DWO’s RPM reduction intervention in case of exceeding the super concession ). Article 2.4.2.2 (balancing calculation) regarding RPM reductions will be cancelled.
CRANKSHAFT AND BALANCE SHAFT: Authorized weight changes
The weight of the crankshaft and balance shaft can be changed by +/- 20% of the homologated weight measured during the FIM homologation inspection and the corresponding parts kit must be a part included in the FIM eligible parts list.
COUNTING OF CHECKPOINTS AND AWARD TOKENS: Measured every two rounds
Starting in 2024, it will be checked every two events instead of three as at present.
SUPERCONCESSION AND CONCESSION PIECES: Amendments to scheme approval
The approval of the scheme is one month before the event and the final detailed approval 14 days before the day of the technical control of the event, eliminating the need to describe the superconcession parts in the FIM SBK Regulations. Instead, a specific communication will be established.
A formal meeting of the SBK Commission will take place on Saturday, October 28 during the final round of the championship. During this meeting, many sporting and disciplinary points will be raised and possibly additional technical points may also be discussed.
These Superbike Commission resolutions are approved by the Permanent Office. An updated version of the FIM SBK Regulations containing the detailed text of the regulation changes will soon be available on the FIM website.
Source: La Verdad
I’m Rose Herman and I work as an author for Today Times Live. My expertise lies in writing about sports, a passion of mine that has been with me since childhood. As part of my job, I provide comprehensive coverage on everything from football to tennis to golf.
