Enea Bastianini recently opened up about his challenging race, one marked by a setback with Fabio Quartararo and a frustrating crash. Reflecting on the race, Bastianini candidly acknowledged his own missteps while commending Francesco Bagnaia’s ability to stage a comeback in the ongoing championship battle with Jorge Martín, which he believes is still anyone’s game.
In an interview with Motosan, Bastianini admitted his biggest frustration stemmed from his own error: “The most bothersome part was my mistake,” he shared. An early clash with Quartararo caused both riders to veer off track, costing Bastianini precious positions. He explained that, as he fought to recover and pushed up to seventh, a lack of grip on the front tire led to a crash, cutting his momentum short. “It was disappointing,” he reflected, “since I felt I could have reached the front.”
Turning to the fierce contest between Bagnaia and Martín, Bastianini highlighted how unpredictable this stage of the championship has become. With just two rounds remaining, every decision, every turn, could be decisive. He noted that while he may not have been in contention for the top spot in this particular race, he would have relished the chance to compete alongside Pedro Acosta. As for Bagnaia, Bastianini expressed his hope that his teammate would find his way back to the front of the pack, adding, “I didn’t quite grasp what was holding him back, but this victory was vital.”
Bagnaia’s recent win, Bastianini believes, has breathed new life into the title race, making the fight between Bagnaia and Martín as intense as ever. With both riders performing at their peak, Bastianini feels that predicting a champion is nearly impossible at this stage, emphasizing, “The title race is still wide open, and either of them could come out on top.”
Bastianini’s observations underscore the high stakes and tight competition as the season heads into its final rounds. Each race brings new challenges, and each rider must bring their best to the track, knowing that a single slip-up could make all the difference.