Bautista laments Losail tyre problem

Alvaro Bautista was one of several expected title challengers across the three World Championship categories to have a less than ideal start to the season, opening his 2008 campaign in the 250cc class with some unforeseen tyre difficulties.

The Mapfre Aspar rider had a fantastic opening few laps onboard his Aprilia RSA in Qatar, and could have been expected to take the race by the scruff of the neck to lead the quarter litre standings for the first time. However, a problem with his rear wheel meant that instead of fighting for the victory, Bautista was instead battling to salvage a top six finish.

I started well and was leading, and from there I wanted to impose my pace on the other riders. Unfortunately on lap four I noticed the tyre going off, and it then continued getting progressively worse, lamented the Spaniard as interviews with the podium finishers played out in the background of his garage.

The tyre appears to have been defective, although at least I was able to finish the race and pick up points. It could have been worse and I could have crashed. The weekend had gone well, but if something like this happens in the race then its a big setback.

After finishing sixth in Losail, Bautista will be hoping for his first podium of the year on home soil when the World Championship heads to Jerez next week.. The former 125cc World Champion is optimistic about his chances, save for any other unexpected occurrences.

Now we have the race in Jerez, and we will continue working as hard as we have been. Lets hope that nothing else happens to us and we can give a good showing for ourselves there, concluded Bautista.