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The second test day in Sepang for the MotoGP riders has also ended, and the process of adapting to his new KTM still appears to be an uphill climb for Enea Bastianini, according to the 17th time trial at the end of the day. A different bike, with a different character, requires different approaches and solutions: this is probably the lesson Enea learned, as he admitted to reporters that "the changes made in Ducati don't work here." So, he's in line with the other KTM riders, primarily Pedro Acosta, who's currently the reference point on the track for the Austrian manufacturer.
"I was struggling a lot this morning. To be honest, I couldn't find a solution," began Bastianini began. "So, in the afternoon, we set out to find something that could help me. I tried out some new parts that definitely helped. My work started from there. Tomorrow, we'll continue from that point. Today, it's as if I started late. We're a little behind."
After the Barcelona test, did you expect a faster adaptation?
"I was hoping for something better, but I expected the adaptation to take some time. The bike is quite different, the strengths are others and, with the new tires, I still can't express myself at my best. With the used ones, on the other hand, I'm in line with the other KTM riders, but we still have a lot of work to do to improve."
On the fast lap, Acosta seems to be the benchmark in KTM. Where does he make the difference?
"Unfortunately, I made a mistake during my fast lap at turn twelve today. At that point, I must have left at least two tenths. In any case, I would've had four tenths from Pedro, so I'll definitely look at his data tonight and try to figure out what to do. The changes I was making in Ducati aren't working here. I have to find different solutions and, by aligning myself with the other KTM riders, things have already improved."
What do you like about this bike and what do you like least?
"The braking is great. It's really nice to brake with this bike when you're okay and have everything under control, otherwise, it's difficult. Also, the more you force the front, the more it stays, which is a new thing for me. You have to force it a lot, that's it."
