Enea Bastianini : Ktm is Very Close to Ducati

RiderTua.com – Ducati dominates MotoGP. However, brands from Europe (KTM and Aprilia) continue to catch up. Enea Bastianini, who finished 5th in the main race and 6th in the sprint in Qatar, was able to compare the bikes from the back of the track. The rider from Rimini, Italy, assesses the current balance of power between Bologna and Munderfing.

The 26 year old rider said, “Ducati is still the benchmark. But KTM is now very, very close. Brad (Binder) is competitive in races and sprints. But Aprilia is also at the same level. They are our big rivals.”

This bike from Borgo Panigale Bologna has always finished first in the last 10 races. The Desmosedici GP is the winningest bike in MotoGP.

Enea Bastianini: KTM is very close to Ducati

Results from pre-season testing and the season-opening race in Qatar have provided more than an indication that Ducati riders will be back on top in racing in 2024. At the race weekend at the Lusail circuit, Ducati remained number one with Jorge Martin winning in the sprint race and Pecco Bagnaia in the main race. But, the competition is getting closer!

In the race in Qatar, Brad Binder managed to establish himself as the best chaser with his KTM RC-16 (finishing 2nd in both the sprint and main race). BB#33 always ‘annoys’ the successful Ducati riders. In the sprint race, two non-Ducatis even managed to enter the top 7, namely Binder and Aleix Espargaro (finished 3rd) with Aprilia.

Most importantly, Binder’s two podium finishes give hope to competitors. Will KTM finally break Ducati’s dominance throughout the season? What shows KTM’s potential? Brad Binder was the only non-Ducati rider who was able to break the 1:50 minute mark in Q2 on the Doha desert track.

But it’s not just KTM that can provide long-term competition, Aleix Espargaro also looks very strong with his Aprilia RS-GP in Lusail. If it was a sprint with 3 laps to go, AE#41 would probably win the sprint race. However, the tires slowed down the Spaniard’s pace in the main race.

Brad Binder carefully explained, “The level is generally higher. Everyone has made progress and we are getting closer. Losail is also very special. But of course we are very close.”

Before continuing the second series of the season in Portimao, the South African rider said, “I am always in 100 percent condition. But I feel like the Ducati riders still have a few more percent to add.”