Enea Bastianini at a Crossroads: Ducati Dilemmas and the Tug-of-War Between KTM and Aprilia for 2025

Enea Bastianini Ponders KTM or Aprilia Move: Expresses a Favorite but Remains Open

Enea Bastianini discusses the complexity of opting for Ducati in 2025: "The decision may be tough, yet the outcome of this race will provide clarity."

Enea Bastianini has found himself in the midst of a tumultuous MotoGP off-season, though not under circumstances he would prefer.

Instead of battling to keep his position with the factory Ducati team, the Italian rider has had to watch as speculation oscillated over whether he would be succeeded by either Jorge Martin or Marc Marquez.

Bastianini grinned, describing the atmosphere as hectic when questioned about the rumors circulating at Mugello on Thursday. "It started from the very first race!" he exclaimed. "It's not an issue, but there are moments when the constant questions about what's next make me think, 'Not this again'. Yet, I understand it's to be expected."

In 2022, Bastianini clinched four race victories while with Gresini, but his first season with the factory team was marred by injuries, leading to only a single win. However, this season marks a significant improvement, as he has already secured two podium finishes and is currently ranked fourth in the world championship standings. Despite this uptick in performance, it would still be surprising if he retains his position on the team.

Bastianini acknowledged that he, Marc, and Jorge Martin are currently among the top four competitors in the riders' rankings. However, he conceded that Jorge presently possesses an edge over the rest. He has observed this advantage on numerous occasions, despite Bastianini securing the factory seat over the Pramac championship frontrunner in 2022.

"Marc excels in racing, particularly at the beginning of the races. As for myself, I maintain a steady pace, yet I'm not quite dynamic just yet. Opting for Ducati could pose a challenge, I'm aware. However, following this race, once we see the outcome, we'll be pleased to put an end to the speculation!"

Should the verdict not favor him, Bastianini is speculated to be in Aprilia's sights, as they are actively seeking an Italian rider, and he might also be considered for a KTM position through GASGAS Tech3.

Which one would he like more?

"Bastianini mentioned, “While I do have a preference, it's still too soon to discuss it as I'm looai-allcreator.com">king to gain a clearer insight into the situation following Mugello and Ducati's decision.”

"I then have a three-week period [before the upcoming race] to figure out what the optimal decision is for me. However, currently, my focus is on different matters, such as determining the reasons behind my lack of speed in Barcelona [the previous weekend]."

Bastianini has secured 43 top-three finishes across all three grand prix categories, yet he hasn't achieved any at Mugello.

"I've always loved this race, but despite trying since 2014, I've never made it to the podium," he shared. "This year, I feel prepared and am also hoping for a bit more fortune than I've had previously."

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