Bastianini declares he is “back” after MotoGP podium in Barcelona

Enea Bastianini has declared he is “back” after claiming his first podium as a KTM MotoGP rider in the Catalan Grand Prix on Sunday.

Although a mistake in qualifying left him ninth on the grid, Bastianini quickly made amends at the start, jumping to fourth by the end of lap three to put himself in podium contention.

He then set after KTM stablemate Pedro Acosta, passing him on lap 11 with a brilliant move under braking for Turn 1.

By this time, Alex and Marc Marquez had pulled away on the Ducatis, but Bastianini did more than enough to hang on to third, securing his first grand prix podium since last year’s Malaysian GP.

The Tech3 rider had already finished in the top three in the sprint race at Brno, but Sunday’s result was more significant as it came during a grand prix.

Asked if the ‘Beast’ was back, the Italian replied: “I hope so. I was consistent during the last GPs, but for some bad luck and also my mistakes, that moment only arrived today. 

“But we are improving and I’m always in the top 10 in all the sessions, more or less.

“I think yes, I’m back. But also I’m back to ride very well.”

Pressed further on whether he was back to his level of 2024, when he won two grands prix and finished fourth in the championship on a factory Ducati, Bastianini said he was not yet at 100 per cent.

“During the last period of last year, I was at a very good level, and at the moment, yes, I can play with the bike, I’m much faster compared to before. 

“But to be honest, I’m not at 100%. I do not have confidence in every practice to remain a bit quiet, and to relax. But maybe for my future, yes. The direction is the correct one. 

“I’m waiting to see some news from KTM. I was waiting for a new seat because sometimes I miss my foot from the footrest. Let’s see when it will arrive.”

Earlier in the weekend, Bastianini explained that he had changed his mindset after missing the German GP with what was later diagnosed as food poisoning.

The introduction of the updated RC16 has acted as a further boost, and a KTM rider has now stood on the podium in three out of the last four grands prix.

“Yes, it [my riding style] has changed because you are more conscious about your feeling, your first touch [with the bike in practice]. 

“[Previously], when I was jumping on the bike, I wasn’t confident. But when I came back after my stomach injury and I jumped on the bike, from the start, I thought, ‘OK, this is my bike, I can play, I can do some different maneuvers’.

“And starting from that period, my point of view has changed, and now the feeling has improved.”