Alvaro Bautista was one of the winners of a WorldSBK “lottery” in Race 2 at Phillip Island, taking third place in the wet.

Bautista started the race seventh after a decent ride from 12th in the Superpole Race earlier in the day.

But wet weather for Race 2 complicated things, with the spray from riders in front hampering visibility, something also noted by both BMW riders after the race.

“In Race 2, on wet, it was like a lottery,” Alvaro Bautista told WorldSBK.com after Race 2.

“I tried to understand how was the conditions, to get the feeling with the bike. 

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“For sure the first few laps I struggled a lot because I had some riders in front of me and in many places I could not see anything for the spray from the other bikes, so it was a bit tricky.

“Then, when the race passed some laps, I started to feel a bit better, I could see some references and I could put my pace. 

“At the end, I tried to just survive the race, tried to get the feeling, and tried to not force more. I’m happy because I never felt dangerous or risking more than needed, so I’m happy because finishing in third place was good to end the weekend. We keep working to improve.”

Bautista added that it was “special” to take his first World Superbike podium with Barni at Phillip Island after a difficult preseason that was affected heavily by bad weather, and then a crash in Race 1 when he clicked one gear too many going into turn 11.

“It’s always special because this season is not going easy,” said Bautista.

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“We didn’t make tests, and in a completely new project for me: new team, new faces, new bike – everything new – it’s not easy to arrive in this track and start working in this track that is quite special. 

“So, we tried to work on the bike, also I tried to work on myself to get the rhythm, the pace, the feeling with the bike. 

“It’s true that it’s not always easy, but I think we were improving every time we go out on the track, so this is positive. It’s always a bit pride for my mechanics after my [Race 1] mistake.

“It’s better to end on the podium than not, no?”