Avintia's Enea Bastianini completed a dream Sunday in Misano after the Rimini-born Ducati rider secured his maiden MotoGP podium in front of home support.
Starting 12th on the grid for the San Marino GP, the Avintia rider was immediately on a charge, hitting the top five after just five laps of action and never looking back. His stunning pace on two-year-old machinery saw him circulating third just three laps later with local fans wondering just how far he could go? A home victory was too much to ask after the impressive run through the pack, but with a better starting position, it could have been another story.
“Yes, has been an unexpected podium for me because, after doing all these weekend my pace was so nice but today in the race was something special,” Bastianini said from his first MotoGP press conference.
“It's incredible for me, to overtaking a big rider like Rins, Jack, Marquez, and it's fantastic all this. After, when I overtake Jack, I think okay, 'third place is fine'. I have closed little bit the throttle the last six laps, and it's fantastic for me to be here. Also with the 19 bike, but in some races, we have also a good potential.
“In the middle of the race I was a really fast,” he continued. "But, you know, starting from 12th place is not easy. I think I can be also to the battle for the victory if I start with more advantage but for me it's good, third place today,
“I have learned a lot,” the rookie said of his first season in MotoGP. "Also today with these guys, with these riders, and it's really nice for me to overtake Marc Marquez and Jack, but I think I have learned more the bike. During all the weekend, and also in Aragon, when I was without rider on the front - because I more concentrated, and it's very good choice for me to ride alone.
“My bike have good potential, because is nice but it's a lot aggressive. But here and Aragon, I have adapt something my style in this bike, and now I'm more relaxed during my race, and I can be fast in every part of the race. I've changed my style during the last three days and also I'm more soft in all the movements. When I'm riding and I see the data for Pecco and also Jack - you know, it's a different bike but the DNA is similar. Now I'm more relaxed when riding the bike.
“This morning my pace was not so bad, but not competitive to do a podium, but during the race change something. I was really competitive with the brake to the enter and I think this is the key. And after, when overtaking two, three, rider, I was really charged and I push all to do this podium.”
