P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Jonathan Rea says it was “demoralising” to battle Alvaro Bautista at the Estoril WorldSBK.
Jonathan Rea faced a tough battle for podium positions at the Estoril WorldSBK, especially when fighting against the formidable Alvaro Bautista.
Bautista, known for his straight line speed since moving from MotoGP to World Superbike in 2019, maintains a significant advantage over his rivals.
Despite being labeled a one-dimensional rider, Bautista showcases remarkable speed on straights even with additional weight restrictions under balance of performance regulations.
His prowess was evident at Estoril, the longest straight of the season, where his Ducati’s performance shone.
For Rea, riding a Yamaha R1, the lack of straight line speed posed challenges when trying to overtake Bautista, leaving him demoralized.
Setup changes in Race 2 led to rear traction issues for Rea, causing him to struggle and lose positions during the race.
