An unexpected guest on the Sprint podium, Enea Bastianini hopes to do the same on Sunday

After a particularly difficult weekend for KTM in Goiânia, Brazil, Enea Bastianini clearly wasn't expecting to finish on the podium after the ten-lap Sprint of the United States Grand Prix in Austin, Texas. Having made it through Q2, the Italian rode a solid race to finish third, benefiting from several retirements and a penalty for KTM factory rider Pedro Acosta. Bastianini still believes it might be possible to repeat this performance on Sunday (start at 22 p.m. Paris time).

“I’m really happy to finish on the podium; it was quite unexpected after the weekends in Brazil and Thailand! On this track, we found the speed again, and I think having a ‘normal’ rear tire helped us move up the order. We needed a bit of luck in the Sprint with the crashes and Pedro’s penalty, but apart from that, we managed to stay at the front. I fought hard, made up positions, and we did a good job as a team. We’ll try to do the same on Sunday!”

After joining the Austrian brand in 2025, Enea Bastianini hasn't been able to consistently achieve strong results. However, the former Ducati rider refuses to complain about his current situation. The performance gap between the Brazilian and Austin riders exemplifies the difficulties KTM is currently facing. The Italian is also counting on his manufacturer not to focus all its resources on Pedro Acosta, KTM's undisputed leader at the moment.

“I feel good, and I’m not going to complain about why I’m not at the front every weekend. It’s not clear at the moment, I hope KTM can also work for me in the future because I think we’re not far off on some circuits, but very far off on others. We’re very close with the team to give our all in every race, and that will be the case.”

ALSO READ > "I ruined another rider's race": Marc Márquez accepts his penalty in Austin