Bastianini Claims KTM is Stabilizing, Avoids Setting Targets for 2025 Season
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| Enea Bastianini, source : Gridoto |
Enea Bastianini, who recently parted ways with his longtime manager Carlo Pernat, has admitted to facing a challenging winter due to KTM’s financial struggles. Despite the difficulties, the Italian rider remains focused on preparing for the 2025 MotoGP season, hoping that things will normalize soon. For Bastianini, this offseason marks a significant turning point in his career, as it comes with major changes, both personal and professional.
The 2025 season will be the first time since his MotoGP debut that the Rimini-born rider will not be riding for Ducati. Instead, he will be competing aboard a KTM, representing the Tech3 team under Herve Poncharal’s management.
Adding to the list of changes in his career, Bastianini also announced a new management partnership. After years of collaboration with Carlo Pernat, he has now joined Enrico Zanarini’s MSM agency, signaling a new chapter in his journey as a professional rider.
In an interview with Sky Sport during the 100 Km of Champions event, Bastianini opened up about his current challenges. He admitted that the ongoing winter has been particularly difficult, not just because of his transition to KTM but also due to financial challenges faced by the Austrian manufacturer. Despite these hurdles, he remains optimistic, highlighting signs of stability within KTM’s operations and his own growing readiness for the upcoming season.
Adapting to Change Amidst Challenges
“This winter has been tough,” Bastianini admitted. “But I’ve kept myself focused on training and maintaining a clear mindset. Every day, I try to give my best to ensure I’m prepared for the championship.”
He further explained that KTM’s internal situation has improved, with a more stable environment now in place. “Things feel a bit calmer now, and that provides some peace of mind. Still, I’m committed to giving my 100 percent, and I’ll never show up unprepared,” he added.
Bastianini’s comments reflect his determination to adapt to both a new team and a new machine. Moving from Ducati to KTM represents a significant shift, particularly as Ducati has dominated the MotoGP landscape in recent years. By contrast, KTM, despite its steady progress, remains in a rebuilding phase, especially in the wake of its recent financial hurdles.
Familiarizing Himself with the KTM RC16
One of the key challenges for Bastianini heading into the 2025 season is his limited experience with KTM’s RC16 bike. After spending his entire MotoGP career riding Ducati machinery, the Italian rider now faces the daunting task of adapting to an entirely new motorcycle.
So far, Bastianini has only had a single day of testing with the RC16 at the Barcelona circuit, shortly after the conclusion of the 2024 season. During that session, he completed 50 laps, which, while providing some initial insights, is far from sufficient to fully understand the bike’s characteristics.
Given this limited experience, Bastianini believes it is too early to set concrete targets for the upcoming season. “It’s not realistic to set any goals at this stage,” he explained. “I’ve only ridden the KTM for 50 laps, and it’s hard to make any definitive judgments based on that. This bike has potential, but I’m not sure I’ll be able to extract 100 percent of its capabilities from the very first race.”
Bastianini emphasized that his focus for now is on gradual improvement, with the goal of steadily unlocking the RC16’s potential as the season progresses. “I’m confident that race by race, we’ll make progress and get closer to where we want to be,” he said.
A Calculated Approach to 2025
Bastianini’s cautious approach to the 2025 season reflects a pragmatic mindset. Rather than succumbing to external pressures or unrealistic expectations, the Italian rider is prioritizing a measured adaptation to his new environment.
For a rider who has consistently demonstrated his talent and competitiveness, the shift to KTM represents both a challenge and an opportunity. While Ducati has been the dominant force in recent MotoGP seasons, KTM is a team with untapped potential, as evidenced by its occasional flashes of brilliance on the track.
Bastianini’s decision to join KTM also comes at a time when the team is actively working to improve its competitiveness. Under the guidance of team principal Herve Poncharal and with the backing of a reorganized management structure, KTM has been making significant efforts to strengthen its position in the MotoGP paddock.
The Split with Carlo Pernat
Another notable development in Bastianini’s career is his separation from longtime manager Carlo Pernat. The two had worked together for years, with Pernat playing a key role in shaping Bastianini’s rise through the ranks of motorcycle racing.
However, ahead of the 2025 season, Bastianini has opted for a fresh start, signing with Enrico Zanarini’s MSM agency. This decision marks a new chapter for the Italian rider, as he seeks to navigate the challenges of his transition to KTM and build a strong foundation for his future in MotoGP.
While the reasons for the split with Pernat have not been publicly disclosed, it is clear that Bastianini is focused on taking his career in a new direction. His collaboration with Zanarini reflects a desire to align himself with a management team that can support his goals and aspirations in this new phase of his career.
A Season of Learning and Growth
For Bastianini, the 2025 season is shaping up to be one of learning and growth. While he is unlikely to be a title contender in his first year with KTM, the Italian rider is focused on building a strong foundation for the future.
By approaching the season with realistic expectations and a commitment to gradual improvement, Bastianini is positioning himself to make the most of his new opportunity. His willingness to embrace change and adapt to new challenges speaks to his resilience and determination as a competitor.
As he prepares to embark on this new chapter in his career, Bastianini remains optimistic about what lies ahead. With the support of his new team and management, he is ready to face the challenges of the 2025 MotoGP season and work toward achieving his long-term goals.
In his own words, “Race by race, we’ll get there.”
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