Enea Bastianini optimistic for remainder of 2024 MotoGP season following consecutive grand prix podiums.
Enea Bastianini’s strong 2024 season persisted with a second-place finish in Portimao, followed by a third-place claim at the Americas MotoGP at COTA.
Despite an initial drop in positions, Bastianini recovered admirably, gaining strength throughout the grand prix.
After surpassing teammate Francesco Bagnaia, Bastianini closed the gap on championship leader Jorge Martin, ultimately passing the Pramac star with just over a lap remaining.
“It was crucial to secure a podium here at COTA because it’s one of my favorite tracks, and I missed the race last year,” Bastianini remarked.
“Considering how yesterday went, I wasn’t feeling particularly confident for the race. However, my start was good, and seeing that, I decided to push for the front.
“Yet, I made a few errors, and some riders managed to pass me in the initial phase of the race. I needed to keep my composure, especially since I was one of the riders using the soft rear tire.
“I only really began to push in the last seven or eight laps. Jorge made it quite challenging to overtake. I finally managed to pass him with just two laps remaining. I can be pleased with that.”
Bastianini, who faced difficulties adapting to the GP23 machine upon his return from injury last season, has encountered no such challenges in 2024 with the new and improved 2024-spec bike.
Having been one of the most consistent riders in the opening three rounds, Bastianini is optimistic about what lies ahead.
Reflecting on last year’s challenges, Bastianini remarked, “Last year was quite unusual for me. My feeling with the bike was off, and I also crashed in the first race.
“Following my injury, adapting to the bike proved to be quite complicated, especially with new elements such as a new crew chief and team.
“It’s all about finding the right balance. Once you understand that, you can push further.
“This year, we’ve had a strong start during testing, putting in many laps in Malaysia and Qatar to ensure consistency for the championship.
“Now, we have a solid foundation. Looking ahead, we can consistently fight for strong positions.”
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