Enea Bastianini MotoGP struggles became a focus of attention during the 2025 season, as the Italian rider found it challenging to adapt after his high-profile move to Red Bull KTM Tech 3. Despite early hopes, persistent issues with the KTM RC16 left Bastianini searching for answers throughout a turbulent campaign.
A Difficult Transition to KTM’s RC16
After moving from Ducati to KTM’s Tech3 team in 2025, Bastianini joined forces with Maverick Vinales, both debuting in an all-new line-up. From the outset, the adaptation proved challenging, starting with his very first test in Valencia 2024, where a significant crash damaged his machine and foreshadowed the difficulties ahead. Bastianini soon realized that the KTM RC16 demanded a different riding style and did not naturally suit his strengths as a rider.
As the season began in March, Bastianini was consistently outpaced by his team-mate, Vinales. Over the first ten rounds, Vinales secured 69 points before being sidelined by a shoulder injury at Sachsenring, while Bastianini managed just 42. The gulf between their performances was highlighted by Vinales’ stronger adaptation to the Austrian manufacturer’s bike, leaving Bastianini playing catch-up from the very start.
Brief Uplifts Amid Season-Long Challenges
There were flashes of improvement, such as when Bastianini qualified fourth in Hungary and stepped onto the podium in Barcelona. However, these moments proved the exception rather than the rule. By season’s end, he occupied a distant 14th in the overall standings. Compared to Pedro Acosta, who collected 307 points on the factory KTM, Bastianini’s tally of 112 underscored the scale of his struggles. The drop-off was stark considering his successful previous campaign on the Ducati GP24, where he notched two wins and seven additional podiums.
Even in his rookie year in 2021, Bastianini performed more consistently, finishing 11th in the championship via 102 points from 18 rounds—this achievement came at a time before MotoGP sprints were introduced. The 2025 experience quickly became his toughest top-flight campaign to date.
Understanding the Core of the Struggles
Bastianini has acknowledged just how steep the learning curve became after switching to a different manufacturer for the first time in his MotoGP career. Reflecting on the challenges, he stated,
“I think the adaptation to the bike this year has been very complicated for me, starting from the first test when I jumped,”
Enea Bastianini, Red Bull KTM Tech 3. He explained that the RC16’s characteristics were radically different from his previous machine, requiring continuous adjustments and making it hard to feel assured during race weekends.
“Last year, at the end of the season, I was fast in the sprints and I was always on top. I knew how it would be and what the approach of the weekend was, but you have to be clear. This year, the situation was not clear to me.”
Enea Bastianini, Red Bull KTM Tech 3.
This uncertainty translated into a pattern: slow starts to weekends and better performance as Sunday approached. Despite progressing during race weekends, the Italian often found himself with too much ground to recover. At the Valencia round, for example, he qualified just 20th, but managed to work his way up to a 10th-place finish due to improved race pace.
Bastianini noted that Fridays were typically especially challenging, with qualifying results reflecting his ongoing difficulties. While he would move forward in the races themselves, progress throughout a weekend was usually only incremental.
“Friday complicated, Saturday a bit less and Sunday in the race we are competitive. This happened many times. I think [it happened] every weekend, from just two or three weekends apart,”
Enea Bastianini, Red Bull KTM Tech 3.
Tyre Choices Add Another Layer
A major element impacting Bastianini’s MotoGP struggles at KTM was his difficulty dialing in performance with the Michelin soft tyres. Compared to the medium tyre, which he found confidence on during longer Grands Prix, the soft rubber created added problems, especially with a phenomenon known as “the rear pushing the front,” significantly affecting his cornering ability.
“We are also competitive in the race because I find the confidence to be fast with the medium tyre,”
Enea Bastianini, Red Bull KTM Tech 3.
He emphasized the contrast between tyre compounds, describing the lack of confidence and additional handling challenges when using the softs.
“[With the soft tyre], the rear pushes me out in every corner and it’s also much more complicated to turn. With the medium, it’s much better for me to slide with the rear, I’m much more confident. Lap by lap in the race, I’m much more confident. This has happened every time.”
Enea Bastianini, Red Bull KTM Tech 3.
End of Season, Hopes for Improvement
At the close of the campaign, Bastianini approached the post-season Valencia test determined to understand the RC16 and find a breakthrough before the winter break. However, after trialling a range of new components and even two distinct bikes, he left Spain still feeling uncertain about many aspects of the machinery. While he recognized some ergonomic improvements, key questions about the bike’s behavior remained unanswered.
“I still haven’t cleared up all my doubts about certain things,”
Enea Bastianini, Red Bull KTM Tech 3.
Bastianini admitted he was still adapting and highlighted the changes in the new chassis, noting only the improved rider seating as a clear positive. Looking ahead, he was open about the challenges and eager to move on.
“But hey, I’m happier to have wrapped up 2025.”
Enea Bastianini, Red Bull KTM Tech 3.
Anticipating the Crucial Sepang Test
Entering the final year of his KTM contract, Bastianini knows that the first pre-season test at Sepang in 2026 will be pivotal in defining his future. He finished just 17th in the post-season Valencia sessions, which underscored the need for more setup work and improvements over the winter months.
“Therefore, Sepang will be a crucial test for me: I’ll have to work very hard and try to make the most of the three days we have.”
Enea Bastianini, Red Bull KTM Tech 3.
With an intense and unsettled journey behind him, Enea Bastianini faces a defining moment as he attempts to turn around his fortunes with KTM. The upcoming pre-season preparations and Sepang test will likely play a crucial role in determining whether he can rediscover the form that once made him a title contender in MotoGP.
