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From braking, to riding, to acceleration, thus in all phases of riding, KTM and Ducati seem to embody two opposite ideas of motorcycles and, as a logical consequence, two equally distinct ways of being ridden. Not an easy task, then, that facing Enea Bastianini riding the RC16, called upon to deeply revise the style shaped over the years to fit the Desmosedici GP. In Sepang, Bastianini was the last of the KTM riders and the man from Rimini had not hidden his difficulties in adapting to the characteristics of his new mount.
In Thailand, the first day of testing for Enea gave him the 16th quickest time, behind Acosta and Binder in the top 10, but this time ahead of Maverick Vinales, only 18th. In short, the script does not seem to be producing any substantial improvements, yet Enea attributed positive signs to the first day on the Buriram circuit, saying he was happy with the step forward made in the afternoon hours.
"Looking at the times, the day was not great, but not bad either. Compared to how we started this morning, where I was in a lot of confusion because I couldn't figure out which direction to go, in the afternoon we found a way forward and the work done convinced me. I also have to work on myself and do what I can to change my style quickly because the first race is coming up. It's not easy but the bike is very different and it requires it, I think in all the tracks where we are going we will have to do some kind of reset."
How do the KTM you ride now and the Ducati you rode for four years differ the most?
"Seen from the outside the two bikes look similar, but on closer inspection they are completely different. Starting with the set-up, the KTM requires configurations that are exactly the opposite of what I was used to using. For example, we are loading the bike more and more on the front, which in Ducati we tended to unload. The use of the rear brake is also profoundly different; the KTM does not like it to be used with the bike straight, but only on the corner, because otherwise the rear starts to move a lot and the movements are transferred to the front. I have to work a lot on myself to make a step, however, being able after the lunch break to find a way to be a bit faster makes me happy."
Do you think your refined style will have to be put aside and revolutionized at the root?
"I hope I won't have to revolutionize everything, it took me so long to acquire my style and I wouldn't want to forget it totally. Certainly at the moment I have to learn how to do other things and a lot of what I used to do I archive away. Currently the RC16 is this one here and even ergonomically there are not so many changes we can make, so as a result I am the one who has to adapt as much as possible, although it is not easy. Then I'm sure the KTM will help me not to completely distort my riding style, but just modify it enough to make the bike work better."
With the engine, how are you getting on with it?
"The engine pushes well, the engine brake behavior is also quite good. We have some problems with the tendency to wheelie but it's something that a well-done set-up can make up for."
