Enea Bastianini’s Insight on 100th Ducati MotoGP Victory

Six events remain in the 2024 MotoGP Championship, and Enea Bastianini is 59 points behind the leader after winning the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix, bringing him a little closer to his dream.

Reigning champion Francesco Bagnaia crashed out seven laps before the checkered flag while Bastianini gave it his all in his home GP, overtaking Jorge Martín in a tense finale.His win gave Ducati its 100th MotoGP victory and secured the Constructors’ Championship. For one day, “La Bestia” (“the Beast,” as his nickname suggests) showed the best version of himself: fast, creative, brave, and determined.

Enea Bastianini had actually believed in a victory Saturday, though he only admitted to “hoping for it.” On race day he “felt it,” so he took the start with only one target in mind: to win. His borderline pass on Martín overshadowed Ducati’s 100th win and Constructors’ Championship, as it created many discussions.

“It was aggressive but fair,” Bagnaia said. “I received it several times last year from Jorge and he was on the blue.”

To the contrary, Marc Márquez, who is usually very aggressive in his passes, said: “If you need to overtake, you have to do it like that, especially when you’re so similar in speed. You have to make the pass that way. It’s not about finding the gap; it’s about creating it. The gap isn’t there, but you make it, and Bastianini did exactly that. He did everything very well until the two wheels touched the blue line. If they hadn’t touched the blue, meaning off the track, nothing would have happened. But once the wheels go off the track, for me, it means you have to lose a position.”

A perfect weekend. Was this your best GP?

“We were missing something for the win, but Saturday night we worked in the garage until 10 p.m. to find a solution. We used everything we had to get here. There was a phase in the race where I had some vibrations, but then everything went fine. It was an incredible race. Jorge was perfect, and passing him was very difficult. I tried to make my move with three laps to go, but he blocked the exit of turn 6. On the last lap, I saw a bit of space, pushed to the limit, and closed the line.”

A Márquez-style maneuver?

“When you’re fighting for the win, you have to try.”

Martín didn’t see it the same way.

“I think it was an aggressive yet clean pass. I knew it was difficult, and if I tried it again, I probably wouldn’t succeed. I had to lean the bike, and the front locked up, so I had to shift more weight to the rear and try to complete the turn.”

Márquez said you deserved a one-position drop penalty.

“Jorge could hear me; I was right behind him. He closed the line, but he was doing that everywhere. It was close contact, but within the limits of fairness. It wasn’t even considered under investigation by the stewards.”

Were you surprised by Marc’s comment?

“I’m half-surprised. Only Jorge and I know how it went. He heard me coming and closed the line. He did the same thing exiting turn 6 when I tried to pass at La Quercia corner. If we’re talking about aggressive moves, this wasn’t much different.”

Can we say that when you start from the front, we see the best Bastianini?

“Starting from the front rows is crucial in modern MotoGP. Qualifying has compromised my race in the last seven or eight rounds. Maybe at times, I didn’t have the speed to win, but I always had the speed to get on the podium. This makes me happy but also a little frustrated. I definitely need to improve in qualifying.”

You’re back in the title chase. Do you still believe in it?

“It’s good to have a big dream. I’m a bit closer now compared to the start of the weekend, and that’s positive. There are still many points up for grabs, and we’re not giving up.”

When you chose your overtaking point, did you think about the duel with Bagnaia back in 2022?

“I saw that Sectors 1 and 2 were the only places where I could attack Jorge, as he was very strong in acceleration, especially exiting turn 10. I remembered the 2022 overtake that didn’t work, so I tried to be more decisive this time. Jorge moved inside when he heard me, leaving me no room to maneuver.”

You secured Ducati’s 100th win, and you’re leaving Borgo Panigale at the end of the season. Does this achievement make you particularly proud?

“Yes, I want to leave my mark at Ducati. I race for my team, who are working incredibly hard, and primarily for myself and my family.”

Is there anyone you’d like to dedicate this victory to?

“This win is for two people: first, Luca Salvadori and his family [he was a rider with No. 23 like me and tragically passed away last week in a roadrace in Germany]. I didn’t know him well, but we talked several times. His passion for bikes was incredible, and he was one of us. He shared his story with the world in an amazing way. The second person is my friend’s daughter, born today, named Vittoria, which means victory.”

Does this win give you a boost before heading to Asia?

“Yes, I like the way things are going, and I’m happy with the team’s efforts. They are giving me 100 percent to win. Now, the Asian tour begins, and I usually enjoy those races.”