Bautista has been in fine form since his return to Ducati at the beginning of the year, winning half of the races so far in 2022 to stretch out a lead of 36 points over Kawasaki star Jonathan Rea and a 79-point advantage over reigning champion Toprak Razgatlioglu.
While his rivals have been beset by fluctuating form, technical issues and even a crash between themselves, Bautista has enjoyed a clean run in the opening third of the season, finishing all 12 races across the first four rounds on the podium.
