Enea Bastianini thrilled during 2021 with two sensational MotoGP podiums at Misano on a two-year-old satellite Ducati.

The charismatic Italian is back for another bite at the cherry now his rookie season is firmly under his belt, and has the Desmosedici GP21 Pecco Bagnaia rode to second in the championship at his disposal this time around.

Bastianini lines up in striking Gresini Racing colours alongside former Moto3 teammate Fabio Di Giannantonio for 2022 and is raring to go as preseason testing draws close.

“The expectation for this season is high,” the 2020 Moto2 Champion admits as he looks forward to his second year in the premier class. “Last year, especially during the last part of the season, we did two podiums and I think, 'okay, I can be competitive also in MotoGP'.

“For this year, I have to improve because the last year I've learned a lot from the category and now I have to be more constant during all the season. Also during the qualifying because all my qualifying last year was I think a disaster. Now with this bike for me will be more easy to do faster lap during the qualifying.

“I have tried this bike only in one track for the moment, only in Jerez but when I try for the first time, I see from the start to be more easy, more relaxed during the session,” he continued, reflecting on his debut with the 21-spec machine in November. “When you push, you can do some error at the end but don't lose a lot of time and this is important. But also when I tried this I see also more around the braking.

"I can brake later than the '19 and also less movement, and for the qualifying this is key.

“When I try for the first time the '21 bike, from the start my feel was better when I'm riding the bike. The DNA of the Ducati is incredible for me. Also in the middle of the corner you can do more speed and this is important; first of all, for the race to save the tyres but I think this is not my biggest problem during the race. I can’t wait to start the season.”

Bastianini is joined by Di Giannantonio for 2022, the pair having already shared a garage, and a Gresini one at that, in 2016 while competing in Moto3. The strong relationship will be a bonus as the 24-year-old passes the rookie baton to his Ducati teammate for the coming year.

“When you are a rookie is difficult,” he explained, “especially during the first three races to understand the bike. Also we have a lot of electronics compared to the Moto3 and it's a completely different work inside the box but yes, we have a good relationship and we can do very good races together.

“The physical preparation is a lot more important for MotoGP,” Bastianini continued. “I remember the last year, in the half part of the season I was not feeling really good. But after, I understand what is necessary to do during the winter to be more competitive in the championship. Is not only physically but also you have to be more prepared with the mental side and now I know what is the expectation for the season.”

While the camaraderie in the Gresini camp is tight, there is one obvious missing piece after the passing of team founder Fausto Gresini last February.

“Fausto was a really great person with a lot of Spirit also during the weekend of the race,” the Italian recalled. “But I have see the same spirit in Nadia, in Luca, in Lorenzo and also the guys of the team are a lot motivated.

“We have great support from Ducati and this is the best to start the season. It's a very great family, I did three years with Gresini, this is the first time without Fausto but I want to start the season for him and to arrive in the best place possible for all the team.”