Second podium in three races for Bastianini at Misano 

Statistically, Misano is Enea Bastianini's favorite circuit. In 2015, while competing in Moto3, the Italian took his very first Grand Prix victory. Last year, in Moto2, he appeared on the podium in both races on the Tansalpine track, including once on the top step. 

This year, during the San Marino GP, the Ducati rider recorded his very first podium in the premier category. A performance that he repeated on Sunday by doubling fabio quartararo in the last lap. He therefore has no less than six Top 3s in GP at Misano, just like Valentino Rossi or even Dani Pedrosa.

But after three crashes between the fourth free practice session and Q1, Bastianini could not do better than 16th on the grid. Pointed 18th on the first pass, he then embarked on a climb up to third position at the finish. “It was a difficult weekend for me, I destroyed three bikes in eight laps (laughs),” he said. I wasn't convinced I could finish on the podium today. But after several laps, I saw that my pace was close to that of Marc and Pecco. In the last ten laps, I attacked to move up the rankings and found myself fourth. Fabio wasn't far away, so I pushed to close the gap and passed him. » And regarding Quartararo's title, added: “Congratulations to Fabio, because he has been incredible throughout the season. »

From P16 to P3…WE DID IT AGAIN!🔥 #emiliaromagnegp pic.twitter.com/1lcExfRqEA

- Avintia Esponsorama Racing (@esponsoramagp) October 24, 2021

Unlike Francesco Bagnaia and Jack Miller wearing hard at the front and medium at the back, Bastianini opted for a medium/soft combination. “The conditions were different from Misano/1, because it was very cold,” he stressed. I think the mid front was the right choice. Pecco and Jack took it hard, but in the middle of the curve, he was not good. I tried it during the test (official tests after the San Marino GP, editor's note) and I crashed twice. »

A GP22 for 2022? 

In 2022, Bastianini will race under the colors of the Gresini team, still riding a Ducati. But if some of his counterparts from the Pramac or VR46 teams will have the Ducati GP22, the latest evolution from the Borgo Panigale firm, the reigning Moto2 world champion will have to deal with this year's model, the GP21. “Next season, I think I will have the GP21, but with the best possible parts,” he confided. I spoke with the Ducati guys this weekend and I think the GP22 is impossible to get for next year… But after this race we will see it again with Gigi (Dall’Igna, editor’s note), David (Tardozzi, editor’s note) and Carlot (Pernat, his manager, editor’s note). »

Taking advantage of the fall of Jorge Martin, Bastianini took the lead in the rookie rankings with five points ahead of the Madrilenian. Riding his GP19 from two years ago, Bastianini could therefore end the season with the status of best beginner.