Rear grip concern for Alvaro Bautista in Qatar

Alvaro Bautista dropped from being fastest rider on the second night of MotoGP testing in Qatar to finish fifth at the conclusion of the final winter test yesterday evening.

Bautista was unable to improve on his best of 1.55.194, as he struggled to make any significant progress with improving rear grip on his Gresini Honda RC213V machine.

The Spaniard had a small crash at turn 4 and then completed a disappointing race simulation and he told MCN: “It was really hard. We worked to find more rear grip but we didn’t find anything good and I was struggling. I did a long run but with no good feeling on the bike, so for sure I am not happy at the end of this test. We have lots of data now to try and find a solution. In the simulation I knew my rhythm would be low 56s like I did but looking at the pace of the others I am so slow. I have to at least be at the same level as (Bradley) Smith or (Pol) Espargaro and it looks like the Yamaha can be more consistent and stronger, so we have to work because Stefan (Bradl) is in the same condition as me and we are struggling.”