Enea Bastianini: Ducati’s Marquez Choice Seemed Odd

Enea Bastianini spoke candidly about his departure from Ducati and his transition to KTM on the Mig Babol podcast. He called Gigi Dall’Igna’s decision to choose Marc Marquez “odd,” though he acknowledged Marquez’s stellar performance. In-depth analysis highlights Bastianini’s struggles at KTM and reflections on his challenging Ducati tenure.

Bastianini summed up the first half of 2025 in one word: “bad.” “The adventure didn’t start well due to KTM’s financial struggles,” he explained. The initial three months were uncertain, with doubts about the team’s participation in races like Thailand. Nevertheless, Bastianini stayed motivated, preparing diligently. “The whole team has worked hard from the start, and the recent Brno race was much better,” he said. He’s rediscovering his rhythm and enjoying racing again, signaling team progress.

Bastianini recalled 2023 as the year meant to be his breakout with Ducati’s factory team. However, a shoulder injury in the first race derailed his plans. “I returned at less than 70% fitness, ran out of energy, and got injured again in Barcelona,” he noted. Despite slow recovery, a Malaysia win was a relief. In 2024, his hopes of staying with Ducati faded at Le Mans due to a fuel shortage in qualifying. “My pace was good enough to win, but I started from the back,” he reflected.

Ducati’s choice of Marquez surprised Bastianini, especially given Jorge Martin’s strong season. “Gigi’s decision for Marquez seemed odd, but you can’t say anything now with Marquez’s great form,” he admitted. Bastianini maintained a good relationship with Dall’Igna, concluding the season professionally.

With KTM showing recovery signs, Bastianini is optimistic for the season’s second half. He aims to leverage bike improvements and team synergy to compete better, particularly on technical tracks like Austria. For the latest MotoGP updates, visit SPORTRIK.