Bastianini (Ducati/3rd): “Always fighting for the top” / MotoGP

Satisfaction for the Italian, who had to miss the COTA race last year: on one of his favorite tracks, he came from behind and finished third trying to take the lead. After that, unfortunately, I made a few mistakes and other drivers were able to pass me.”

But the second half of the race went better for the 26-year-old: “In this situation, I reminded myself to stay calm. I was one of the few drivers with a soft rear tire. I had to split the rubber and just push on the last 7 or 8 laps.

There was an amazing fight with Jorge Martín – one of many in the action doctor. With two laps remaining, he passed the leader of the championship without giving up anything. Complacency after a poor 2023 season in which he lost momentum due to injury. Things will be different in 2024: “If I’m honest: my feelings for the bike were not there last year. On the one hand, that was due to the injury, but also because everything was new: the bike, the crew chiefs, the team. This year feels different . The first test was good, I was able to get used to the bike in Malaysia and Qatar and now I have a solid, solid foundation. I think I will be able to regularly fight for the top positions in the future.”

What was noticeable was that in Austin there was frequent over-maneuvering in the crowd and – unlike last year – the overheating of the front tires was not a problem for the drivers. Bastianini: “I don’t know how it was here last year because I was still injured. What I can say: When I was fighting today in 6th or 7th place, I felt the temperature rising up front. But with the new front tire design this seems to be less of a problem than before. And he adds: “We all know the subject and we know what we have to do to cool the tire. It’s part of our job.” And this job is: “In a group, always get out of the way of the car in front and give the front tire fresh air.”

US GP Results:

1. Maverick (E) April 41:09.503 minutes.
2. Pedro Acosta (E) GASGAS +1.728 sec.
3. Enea Bastianini (I) Ducati +2.703 sec.
4. Jorge Martín (L) Pramac Ducati +4.690 sec.
5. Francesco Bagnaia (I) Ducati +7.392 sec.
6. Fabio Di Giannantonio (I) VR46 Ducati +9.980 sec.
7. Aleix Espargaró (E) Aprilia +12.208 seconds.
8. Marco Bezzecchi (I) VR46 Ducati +13.343 sec.
9. Brad Binder (ZA) KTM +14.931 sec.
10. Raúl Fernández (E) Trackhouse Aprilia +16.656 sec.
11. Miguel Oliveira (P) Trackhouse Aprilia +18,542 sec.
12. Fabio Quartararo (F) Yamaha +22,899 sec.
13. Jack Miller (AUS) KTM +24,011 sec.
14. Augusto Fernandez (E) GASGAS +27.652 sec.
15. Alex Márquez (L) Gresini Ducati +32.855 sec.
16. Luca Marini (I) Repsol Honda +33,528 sec.
17. Marc Márquez (ESP) Gresini Ducati out
18. Alex Rins (E) Yamaha out
19. Joan Mir (E) Repsol Honda out
20. Franco Morbidelli (I) Pramac Ducati out
21. Takaaki Nakagami (J) LCR Honda out
22. Johann Zarco (F) LCR Honda out

World Championship of Drivers to Austin:

1. Martin 80
2. Bastianini 59
3. Vinales 56
4. Acosta 54
5. Bagnaia 50
6. Fastener 49
7. Espargaro 39
8. Marc Marquez 36
9. And Giannantonio 25
10. Miller 22
11. Bezzecchi 20
12. Every quarter
13. Alex Márquez 14
14. Oliveira 13
15. Raúl Fernández 7
16. Augusto Fernandez 7
17. Mir 7
18. Zarco 5
19. When 3
20. Nakagami 2
21. Morbidelli 0
22. Marini 0

Designers:

1. Ducati 96
2. KTM 76
3. April 72
4. Yamaha 19
5. Honda 8

Team:

1. Ducati Lenovo 109
2. April 95
3. Pramac 80
4. KTM 71
5. YEAR 61
6. Grease 50
7. VR46 45
8. Yamaha 22
9. Trackhouse 20
10. Honda 7
11. LCR 7