Enea Bastianini’s KTM Revival: Mental Shift Drives MotoGP Success

Tech3 KTM rider Enea Bastianini has revealed the factors behind his remarkable turnaround in the 2025 MotoGP season. After a challenging start, Bastianini achieved a fifth-place finish in Austria and a third-place podium in the Brno sprint race. SPORTRIK’s in-depth analysis highlights his mental transformation and technical adjustments as pivotal to his resurgence.

Bastianini’s transition from Ducati to KTM in 2025 was fraught with difficulties. His aggressive braking style clashed with the RC16’s characteristics, preventing him from securing a top-six finish in a grand prix until Austria. “At the beginning, I wasn’t comfortable with the bike’s ergonomics,” Bastianini admitted ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix. “Every time I got on the bike, I felt nervous, like it wasn’t mine.”

Through incremental adjustments, particularly in ergonomics, Bastianini began to adapt. While KTM tested various components on the RC16, he emphasized that the most significant progress stemmed from his personal efforts.

Bastianini attributed his improved performance primarily to a shift in mindset. “During the last period, I changed mentally and adapted my riding to the bike,” he explained. “I worked a lot on myself, starting from the first two or three races. When you try many things on the bike and nothing works, the problem is you.” He focused on physical training to meet the RC16’s demanding nature and refined his riding style to better suit the machine.

The Tech3 KTM team played a crucial role by providing Bastianini with the flexibility to explore new approaches. This collaboration has fostered a newfound confidence, allowing him to feel at ease and “play” with the bike, signaling a return to competitive form.

Bastianini’s recent performances indicate strong potential for the remainder of the 2025 season. With growing confidence and ongoing technical support from KTM, he is well-positioned to achieve further success, starting with the Hungarian Grand Prix. “We’re still missing something, but I’m improving step by step,” he stated optimistically.

SPORTRIK’s analysis suggests that Bastianini’s success hinges on maintaining his positive mental approach and consistent technical adaptations. For the latest MotoGP updates, visit SPORTRIK.