Winner of 16 races ou♛t of 18 so far this year, Bautista has been untouchable for most of his WorldSBK title defence.

That’s expected to continue this w🅠eekend although a lack of experience at Imola with the Panigale V4 R, and both Rea possessing an impressive record at the Italian circuit could open the door for three competitive races.

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Bautista🐼 did not win on his lone visit to Imola in 2019, however he did finish on the podium during the two races that weekend.

Expecting a tough challenge, Bautista said: "It’s another important round for ꦺDucati because it’s their second home ro💃und. It’s an important weekend for me as I don’t have a lot of experience in this track. 

"I just raced here once, in 2019, and it was hard because we had to 📖cancel Race 2 due to the weather. I have good memories of the track; the layout is really nice. 

"There are no expectations bec🦄ause we have to build up the references and t🧸he feeling with the bike at this track. It was the same as I said at Donington. I think Donington, Imola and Most are the three most difficult races for us. 

"We have to be thinking♊ step by step. It’s difficult to make some expectations because it’s like we start from zero. 

"The important thing is to find the feeling that I had at Donin💞gton or other tracks. I’m sure that if we can get that feeling♈, I can be competitive. 

"This is a𝔍 track that we saw many battles in the past. The only expectation that we can have for this weekend are battle🌸s."

Despite being modest throughout the season and playing down expectations, which 🔯he did again, Bautista starts as the clear favourite.

With⛎ that said, hard braking chicanes could give the likes of Rea and Razgatlioglu an advantage which🍌 is why he’s expecting the fights to be fierce.

"I don’t know whether it’ll be for the win or the podium or other positions but there will be battles because t🍸here are a lot of points for overtaking," added Bautista. 

"The way to approach the weekend is basically the same. We must be more careful with thꦚe gearing because, in the end, it’s the most critical. 

"We have to try to unders⭕tand whꦍich areas we lose more in and try to work more in those areas."