Ready, go, MotoGP is back on track for the first tests of 2022 in Sepang, the scene of the pre-season that marks a small return to normality. There were several riders who for the first time walked the Malaysian track with a MotoGP, and among them is Enea Bastianini. In his second year in the premier class, the Gresini team rider arrives at the pre-season tests with a wealth of important experience and aims to improve, also thanks to the technical innovations that awaited him in the garage.
In fact, in 2022 Bastianini has the Desmosedici GP21, a big step forward compared to the 19 he had used last year but which, despite being a rookie, he had brought to the podium on two occasions. Already in Jerez Beast he had had a little taste of the new bike, but it was today the first real day of 2022, in which he took to the track with the definitive colors of the Ducati of the Gresini team.
Enea makes Borgo Panigale smile already at the end of the first day of testing at Sepang: he is in fact the first of the Ducati riders and moves to fourth position in the time standings. He pays just over two tenths from the leader Aleix Espargaro, but you know, the time trial is not the focus in the winter tests. What matters most for the rider is the feeling with the bike, which Bastianini already considers very good.
Enea Bastianini, Gresini Racing
Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
The Desmosedici GP21 is already faster than the 19
The Gresini team rider had a little taste of the GP21 at Jerez, but it is precisely in Sepang that he begins to shape it on himself. Once the first day of testing is closed, Bastianini can already start making a comparison with last year’s bike: “I’m happy with my 2021 bike, because it’s already faster than the previous one and we saw it in the Jerez tests. But on a single track you never have a complete reference, instead after having tried it on another track I understood this bike better, which is better in every part of the circuit. You can brake much later, I really like the rear because it is more stable than the old bike, especially when I have the new tire on the rear I can be more aggressive than the 21 ”.
“I think I can be more competitive, especially in qualifying,” continues Bastianini. The rider from Romagna knows that certainly the work he can do is still a lot and he focuses his attention on the tires, a point that at this moment appears more different between the two versions of the bikes he has ridden. “Compared to the 19 bike, there is only one point a bit different, because with the old one it was easier to keep the tires. With this, on the other hand, you can use them more in the first laps to be fast, but then there is a collapse, then another. But it is certainly better because it is faster ”.
MotoGP returns to Sepang, it is Bastianini’s first
The first time in Sepang is never forgotten. It is considered by many to be one of the most beautiful tracks and not even Bastianini remains indifferent to the charm of the two very long straights and curves that make up the Malaysian track. Here he raced today for the first time with a MotoGP, really realizing the actual speeds that his bike can reach: “Sepang is an incredibly beautiful track! It’s very fast and I really like the last part with the two straights, because with this engine it’s fantastic! ”.
Despite the enthusiasm of being back on the bike, of having a superior Ducati and of being the first of the Reds in the time table, Bastianini remains firmly with his feet on the ground and keeps his concentration high in order to continue the work begun: “The there is never a risk of mounting your head. MotoGP is not the category to grow your head, because it is unpredictable. In a moment from first you can be 10th or 15th. You don’t get your head on, but I can certainly say that I have a good feeling with the bike so far. We haven’t touched practically anything yet from the Jerez tests and this is an important thing because it means that the basic setup we had works and suits my style a lot. I am delighted to be back on the bike, to have tried the Sepang track which is incredible … all good so far! ”.
Enea Bastianini, Gresini Racing
Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
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