During the recent race, Italian rider Enea Bastianini acknowledged that front-end limitations prevented any meaningful progress in his performance, despite some improvement under braking. His consistent lap times reflected a stable but capped race pace, revealing how the lack of grip and front-end feedback held him back. This issue affected his ability to push beyond his limits throughout the event.
Steady but Unable to Advance: Race Pace Reflections
Bastianini shared insights into his race experience, explaining that while braking became slightly smoother, the traction of his KTM bike remained mostly unchanged.
“To be honest, was better to brake in straight,”
he stated, pointing out the consistent nature of his bike’s behavior over the entire race distance. Although his lap times remained steady, he confirmed there was no room for further improvement because of the inherent front-end instability.
Consistent Lap Times Illustrate Performance Ceiling
“My lap time has been constant from the first lap to the end. Always, always 1:47.8s. This was the target. More, was impossible for me,”
Bastianini admitted, highlighting the flat performance curve he experienced. Despite attempts to find an upgrade or step forward, the front-end limitations imposed a strict boundary, making any additional gains unattainable during the race.
Comparisons with Morning Session Highlight Limitations
The rider contrasted his Sunday race performance with the morning session, noting that he could push forward earlier in the day but was unable to replicate that in race conditions.
“What I mean before, Sunday morning was possible because it was possible to push forward, but not on the race,”
he said, underscoring how track and bike dynamics influenced his subsequent efforts.
Implications for Future Race Strategies and Development
Bastianini’s candid acknowledgment of front-end constraints underscores ongoing challenges for himself and KTM as they seek competitive gains. Addressing these stability and grip issues could be crucial in enabling him to break through performance plateaus and improve race outcomes. Observers and team members will likely focus on these factors as they prepare for upcoming rounds, aiming to enhance bike handling and rider confidence.
