Gresini’s Enea Bastianini was back in charge of the MotoGP standings on Sunday night after claiming his second victory of 2022 at COTA.

Lining up fifth on the grid and at the back of a Ducati train, Bastianini showcased his impressive late-race pace as he blitzed his way past race-long leader Jack Miller on the factory Desmosedici in the closing stages. Having run third for the first half of the 20-lap race, the Italian bettered Pramac Racing’s Jorge Martin on lap 12 and immediately began to hunt down his Lenovo sponsored cohort out front. The move on the Australian came just four laps later and with clear air ahead he didn’t look back.

Bastianini met the flag with two seconds in hand for his second victory in the premier class, on just round four of his sophomore season. In doing so, the 24-year-old was back in command of the championship standings, five points ahead of Suzuki’s Alex Rins in second place.

“The feeling is amazing because it's a really hard race,” Bastianini explained from Parc Fermé on Sunday night. “Yesterday my qualifying has been not really nice. I crash and after I bring the bikes and I try to make good lap but second row, it stay possible for me today the opportunity to go on the podium.

“Was important to stay soft and riding relaxed at the first part of the race because I have to save a little bit the body and also the tyre,” he continued. “When I see Rins very close to me, I understand now it's time to push to go on the front. I overtake Jack and also Jorge Martin. I make a gap and I win this race in Texas. It's pretty nice for me.

“Really, in the middle part of the race, I think I could only go on the podium because Jack was too fast,” he admitted.

“But when I changed something in the first sector, I make a very good step in the lap time and I understand 'Okay, now, I can win also the race.’

“It's fantastic! For me, for the guys of the team, for my friends, for everybody. Now there is a lot of European races. I think is more difficult because many, many riders are too close. Especially I think, will be more difficult the qualifying but we are competitive, and we have to stay only concentrated and to have fun.”

With his name returned to the top of the standings for the second time so far this season, does he feel the title is a realistic goal?

“Can be possible, but for the moment I'm happy without pressure,” he admitted with a smile.