Switching from Ducati to KTM is no walk in the park, and Enea Bastianini knows it well. But at the 2025 Grand Prix of the Americas, the Italian finally found some light at the end of the tunnel with a 7th place finish worth its weight in gold. At the Circuit of the Americas, "La Bestia" experienced a race where, for the first time, he felt in harmony—or "tuttuno," as he says with that Italian word—with his RC16. A small success that marked a turning point after a complicated start at KTM Tech3.
The transition between the Ducati and KTM is not a long, quiet river for Enea Bastianini. However, at Austin, the Italian driver scored a crucial point by taking a solid 7th place, proving that confidence is gradually building.
In Italian, there is this melodious word: "tuttuno." This is the one he chose bastianini to summarize his feelings after 19 intense laps on his KTM RC16 au Grand Prix of the Americas. " For the very first time – trials and races included – I felt completely in tune with my bike here in Austin " he admits, visibly satisfied. " We tested some adjustments on Sunday morning, and it changed everything »
A notable development, as up until now, the adaptation had been laborious. But this time, "La Bestia" showed its teeth: 7th at the checkered flag, just two seconds behind 4th, Franco Morbidelli (Ducati VR46). A result all the more remarkable given that his teammate Maverick Vinales, who started from the pits, could do no better than 14th. Not counting the retirements of the other KTM riders, Peter Acosta et Brad Binder, which makes bastianini the best representative of the brand this weekend.
Enea Bastianini: “ The bike was very nervous in handling, but my Tech3 team found the solution »
bastianini recognizes: each ride is a discovery, a step towards mastering one's mount. I gain confidence lap after lap “, he confides. “ The fact of having been among the fastest over the last four or five laps proves that we can be satisfied »
However, nothing suggested such a rebound. The tests and the sprint race had been disappointing. Saturday, I was still experiencing strong vibrations, and the bike was very nervous in handling. But my Tech3 team found the solution »
The eventful start, marked by the cancellation of the first launch (caused by Marc Marquez), could have frustrated him. Especially since he had made the right decision well in advance: to fit slick tires. Twenty seconds before the start, I was really happy, because I felt we had made the right choice. »
Rather than getting angry, he prefers to put things into perspective. It was not dramatic, but in the future, clearer rules are needed to avoid this kind of situation. » bastianini traces its route at KTM. Austin may just be the beginning… but a promising beginning.
Course MotoGP GP of the Americas: standings
MotoGP general classification after Austin:
