Enea Bastianini: ‘I will have pressure, here to fight for the title’

Bastianini endured an injury-hit season during his opening campaing as a factory Ducati MotoGP rider.

And despite failing to show the same form as 2022 when over the shoulder issues, Bastianini did remind everyone of his ability by winning the Malaysian grand prix.

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A dominant performance at that, Bastianini can be a title threat and that’s precisely what he aims to do now that he’s settled in the team.

“I’m here to fight for the title,” said the former Moto2 world champion. “But we have to take it easy in the first part of the season because I have to prepare the maximum for the second half [of the season] to not commit any errors like in the last season.”

Bastianini should be considered one of the best Ducati riders on the grid, but even so, the addition of Marc Marquez won’t help his cause.

That’s without mentioning two-time champion Francesco Bagnaia, who will start the season as the favourite and Jorge Martin who ran Bagnaia very close last season.

Marco Bezzecchi should also be a threat, as a collarbone injury was the only thing that slowed him down in 2023.

Bezzecchi showed he could fight Bagnaia and Martin for race wins on a consistent basis, something we’ve seen Bastianini do particularly in his final year with Gresini.

But Marquez is perhaps the rider to watch after joining Bastianini’s old team. The Spaniard will be expected to win races given the form shown by satellite riders last year.

Bastianini is aware that many challenges will be in his way this season, and that’s including Ducati’s main rivals KTM and Aprilia.

Bastianini said: “I learned a lot from 2023. This year will be different, I am not returning from zero but a little higher.

“I will have pressure, but I am here to try to win. Every year is decisive and this year will be even more so to prove it.

“All strong riders will have very competitive bikes. It will be an intense and competitive year.”