Adapting to New Wheels
In the fast-paced world of MotoGP, every season brings a fresh set of challenges and opportunities. Enea Bastianini, after switching to Tech3 KTM from the factory Ducati team, has recently voiced his thoughts on his progress in the opening round of the season in Thailand. Although he finished ninth in the Thai Grand Prix, his journey has been anything but straightforward.
Taking Steps Forward
Bastianini admitted that he made strides forward “in all directions” on his new KTM machine. It’s worth noting, though, that his experience in the sprint race was tumultuous. Coming in third-last at a track where he claimed victory the previous year certainly raised eyebrows. The Italian rider crossed the line 23.9 seconds behind eight-time champion Marc Marquez in the sprint race, a significant margin that highlighted the steep learning curve he faced.
From Setbacks to Improvements
Despite a rocky start, Bastianini showed resilience. In the subsequent Sunday race, he managed to narrow the gap to just 20 seconds after 26 laps, showcasing his ability to adapt and improve under pressure. This newfound pace suggests that the transition to KTM is beginning to bear fruit. The question now becomes: how quickly can Bastianini close that gap? Only time will tell, but if his progress continues, fans can expect to see him battling at the front in the races to come.