Third in the MotoGP standinꦓgs after two rounds, Enea Bastianini returns to COTA for the first t💃ime since winning in 2022.

Bastianini’s win in 2022 was the🌃 second of four during that season with Gresini Ducati, before beating out Jo🤪rge Martin for the factory Ducati seat in 2023. 

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“I have good memories from 2022 here in COTA,” said Bastianini ahead of today’s free p🌄ractice at COTA. “It was fantastic to do a great victory. I missed the grand prix last year because 𓃲of my injury and it was really bad for me.

“But I come here after a great podium in Porti🐽mao and also I’m consistent at the moment so let’s see if we can ꦺcontinue in that direction.

“I think we have a good set-up in every track ♏which is important. Let’s see if I can be fast this year in COTA𝓀. Physically it is one of the most difficult races.”

Asked about his secrets to success tꦓwo years ago, Bastianini admitted it’s important t🍒o save energy because of the American circuit's physical nature.

“There is new asphalt this year,” bega✤n Bastianini. “The secret; this track is very physical and if you spend energy in the first part, then at the end of the race you can’t be very fast.

“It depends on what my co🐬ndition is and let’s see in the grand prix. I don’t think we have many secrets.”

After finishing second to Martin in Portimao, and the crashes for Mar🤪c Marquez and Francesco Bagnaia, Bastianini moved into third place in the championship, two points ahead of team-mate Bagnaia.

Despite winning the seaso▨n-opener in 2022, Bastianini’s start to 2024 has been even more impressive as his consistency has been better🦩ed by very few rivals.

H𓆏oping to continue ꧙that this weekend, Bastianini pointed to ‘the pickup of the bike’ as an area to improve upon.

Bastianini said: “Here in COTA the pickup [of the bike[ is important. I think that for the moment we have to modify this area a bit because in MotoGP the angle of the bik꧑e is very important.

“Especi🃏ally in this track it can be the solution to winning.”