AUSTRALIAN ROUND | SATURDAY
February 21, 2026
Sunday began with uncertain weather conditions. After overnight rain, the track was slightly damp for warm up. Álvaro Bautista was ninth in 1:29.688 (+0.830).
In the 10-lap Superpole Race, Bautista, starting twelfth on the grid, immediately began a strong comeback. The leading group remained tightly packed, with the top six constantly battling. Alvaro climbed progressively up to seventh position, staying close to the group just behind the leaders. As light rain returned, track conditions became increasingly tricky. Bautista completed his comeback in seventh place, a strong recovery from his starting position.
Race 2 was a completely different scenario: wet track, strong winds and 22 laps in full wet conditions. Alvaro, starting seventh, initially lost a few positions but remained within the pack. Lap after lap he increased his pace, passing Mackenzie and Alex Lowes to move into fourth and enter the fight for the podium. On lap 16, the turning point came: Bautista inherited third position and managed the gap to his rivals with composure in the closing stages, crossing the line on the third step of the podium.
Barni Spark Racing Team leaves the weekend with an important result, scoring the first podiums with both riders: Montella claimed his first-ever WorldSBK podium in Race 1, while Bautista secured his first podium with the Calvenzano-based team in his very first weekend together.
#THERECONQUEST
ALVARO BAUTISTA
“In the morning we were able to try the electronic changes we made yesterday and I immediately felt better, with more feeling on the bike. In the Superpole Race we made a good comeback from twelfth to seventh and, most importantly, we confirmed the progress compared to the tests and the rest of the weekend. We are working in the right direction and lap after lap my confidence is increasing, which allows me to keep pushing. In Race 2 the conditions were very difficult. In the first laps it was hard to find reference points because of the riders in front of me and the spray, but then I found my rhythm. I’m happy because I always felt in control and had a good pace without taking excessive risks. At the end, as the track started to dry, it became more difficult to manage the rain tyres. After yesterday’s mistake it was important to finish the race and doing it on the podium is a great satisfaction for the whole team. It was a demanding weekend, our first together, but the team’s work has been exceptional and I’m confident for the next races.”
