Enea Bastianini says he ‘regrets’ not being able to fight for top spots after moving to KTM.
The Italian will leave the factory Ducati team at the end of 2024 to join Marc Marquez. KTM He saw an opportunity and picked it up. Tech3 With Aprilia Maverick Vinales.
But Bastianini He struggled to adapt to the RC16 and was consistently behind in qualifying. While he captured two podiums in Catalonia in 2025 and the COTA Sprint in 2026, he did not consistently fight for the top spots.
KTM has the option to extend Enya Bastianini’s contract but could lose Tech3 – should he join the factory KTM team in 2027?
His struggles with the bike led to speculation that the 28-year-old was looking for a move. Bastianini tried to break his KTM contract. Amidst Yamaha’s interest, but nothing came of it.
That speculation continues until 2026 as Bastianini is linked with a return to Gresini and the Ducati family. While KTM insisted it was a ‘good decision’, he was furious at not fighting at the front.

Enea Bastianini ‘regrets’ not coming to the front with KTM
Journalist Giovanni Zammagni asked about him #ZamTube YouTube channel Bastianini said of his move to the Austrian manufacturer: “Well, I think it was a good decision, especially when I decided to join KTM.
“The situation was not what we had last year, so all the conditions were set for us to do well, and then with the different things that happened, I think KTM responded very well, kept us on track and did everything possible, for the riders, for us.”
“So that’s something to be thankful for, but not being able to fight for the places that count, that’s a bit of a regret, isn’t it?
But we’re only at the start of this season, we’ve still got a lot of races to go, and if that’s the spirit, I think we’ll get some satisfaction from it.
Read more: Everything you need to know about Enea Bastianini from net worth to career statistics

Ducati has confirmed that Ine Bastianini can ‘come back’ in 2027
As previously stated, Bastianini will receive interest from Gresini for a move in 2027. With Alex Marquez and Fermin Aldeguer both moving to KTM and VR46 respectively, Nadia Padovani needs two new riders.
Rumors suggest that Daniel Holgado is one of them, and since all-starters do not want to line up, Bastianini can join him as an experienced head.
Ducati CEO Claudio Domenicali said Bastianini could return To the manufacturer when asked about some riders and the future of the MotoGP rider market.
However, things could get complicated for the Italian. KTM could keep Bastiani from going.At the end of 2026, they have an option to extend the contract by one year.
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