RiderTua.com – For Enea Bastianini, racing in Portimao is a special event. First in 2020 he became Moto2 world champion, there he also suffered a serious injury at the start of the 2023 season. He wanted to do well and that was the result. He managed to start from pole and in Sunday’s race he got his second podium, although in the sprint race he finished in sixth position. He is now third in the standings, -21 points behind leader Jorge Martin and 2 points ahead of teammate Pecco Bagnaia.
The official Ducati team rider spoke about his race.. “After the sprint I wanted to improve. It was a good fight and I was confident about it until the end, but Jorge tried very hard and I had to settle for second. At the start of the race I was clearly a little bit ahead nervous compared to him, I made too many mistakes. In turn 5 I took a longer line. Then Martin was perfect, he never made a mistake and it was impossible to beat him. Moreover, it was difficult to overtake Vinales, because in Turn-4 he was stronger from me..”
Enea Bastianini : Moving to the Satellite Team is the Last Choice
Does Bastianini think he can be a title contender? The expectations are clear, although it is too early to say too much about how the season will develop.”I hope so. I think we have found a good foundation, we are working in the right way and I am having fun with the Desmosedici GP24. This championship it’s still a long way to go, we still have a lot to prove. I missed the fastest lap, but I got it back. I’m 95% happy.”
Carlo Pernat, Bastianini’s manager, was also present in Portimao, confident that this season we will see the rider from Rimini very strong after a complicated 2023. “This is the year in which I see him most prepared both physically and mentally. I see it as a competitive rider, he knows that this is an important year and he must compete for the world championship.”
If Ducati decides to move him to the Pramac team in 2025, will Enea accept it or look around? Pernat explained clearly.. “You will look around and we have looked around. It would be the fifth choice to go to an unofficial team, with all due respect. I think we will know what will happen at Mugello. I spoke with Dall’ “Igna, he told me to stay calm and not look for anything else, but let’s try to look for it (he said with a laugh). He, Martin and Marc Marquez are competing for the official Ducati team,” he concluded… Because going to a satellite means smaller salaries… it’s a lost a lot😀..
