Bastianini (Tech3): Now the fastest KTM rider, but with major problems

Italian MotoGP rider Enea Bastianini is one of the winners at the Losail International Circuit. In 2022, ‘La Bestia’ made his breakthrough in the premier class, securing his first MotoGP victory on the privateer Gresini Ducati. Much time has passed since then, and following his move to the KTM team, Bastianini has been unable to return to the top step of the podium. In April 2025, during MotoGP’s last visit to Losail, he managed 11th place. Due to his generally unsatisfactory situation, the 13-time GP winner is moving to Trackhouse Racing and switching to Aprilia for 2027.

Following the opening round of the 2026 Qatar GP, the prospects for a glorious farewell in the desert on the KTM RC16 look promising. His sixth-place finish marked one of his strongest performances since switching to Orange. He was less than 0.4 seconds behind championship leader Marc Marquez after qualifying. This also made Enea Bastianini the best-placed KTM rider. Surprisingly, whilst Brad Binder scraped through to Q2, Pedro Acosta – of all people – missed out on what had seemed a certain place in the next round, finishing 14th despite being fourth in the World Championship standings.

Out of 20 attempts, he has made it through to Q2 six times so far

Things get curious when you look at the details. This is because Bastianini – and this is not just down to his move to KTM – is fundamentally a rider who focuses entirely on a high, consistent race pace and, thanks to a balanced riding style, is always the dark horse when the final phase of a race begins with worn tyres. When it comes to setting a fast lap, the result often suffers. The bitter consequence: he has only made it through to the second qualifying session six times in 2026. Consequently, his races have been characterised by come-from-behind chases.

Now the picture has completely reversed. In Qatar, the number 23 struggles on race tyres over numerous laps, but shines when it comes to setting a fast lap time. In FP1, the first session to gauge form without pushing for the fastest time, Bastianini fell two seconds behind. “It was awful; I couldn’t get into my stride at all and felt I had absolutely no grip,” said Bastianini, describing the first session.

Things continued in a similar vein in the afternoon under the floodlights. In the first half-hour of the marathon session, the Tech3 rider was once again nowhere to be seen. But when the team switched to the soft tyres – which are generally only liked to a limited extent – the Italian shot towards the front of the field. Unbelievable but true: with a time of 1:51.0, Bastianini was 1.1 seconds faster than in the 2025 qualifying session – and also four tenths faster than in 2024 whilst riding for Ducati Lenovo.

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Lusail: Qualifying MotoGP

MotoGP World Championship

07.11.2026 - 12:30

Better starting position, but no good prospects for the race

Bastianini ought to be happy with the pace, but he isn’t. The Italian said ahead of qualifying: “It’s inexplicable; the situation with the tyres has changed drastically over the last three events. Now I can’t get to grips with the medium tyres at all. It was the same again in qualifying. The temperatures don’t matter – whether it’s hot or in the evening – I’m struggling and can’t find a good race pace. With the soft tyres, the feeling was completely different.”

Bastianini’s message: “I’m not happy; it’s so incredibly tough. Whilst it’s good and important to have a strong starting position, ultimately it’s all about the races, and as things stand, the pace is lacking. At least we still have some time to work on a solution.”