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Enea Bastianini continues to make progress and the Italian left the Sachsenring with a 10th place in the Sprint, which turned into an 8th place in the longer race. These are different results to what the Romagnolo rider could have imagined before the start of the championship, but at least they demonstrate Enea's good recovery from the injury in Portimao.
“Physically, I feel better. I resisted well. For sure, I still have to take the step to get to where I was before the incident. However, I feel much better physically and I finished quite well at the end of the race, without being exhausted. I'm happy" said the Ducati man, drawing a fairly positive balance of his German GP: "I was hoping it would go a little better at the start, but I got bottled in a bit and I wasn't able to get back up the field, but in the end it went pretty well. The second half of the race went a bit like I expected."
The biggest impact on the 25-year-old's performance is the not yet optimal feeling with his Ducati, which does not allow him to ride to his full potential.
“I still don't have what allows you to do that extra something. In the race, I saw that I was struggling to overtake” explained Enea. “Last year, when I was determined to overtake, it was quite easy. Instead, I also saw here in the race that every time I tried to overtake they immediately crossed me and I could not close the corner. I’m still lacking that feeling on the front that I had established last year, but that's normal, because it's only been two races since I came back. It will definitely take another race."
On a traditionally difficult track for the Borgo Panigale manufacturer, the Ducati crew achieved another solid result, placing eight bikes in the top nine positions. An almost absolute monopoly that certifies the superiority of the Reds over their rivals.
“The race was 20” faster than last year, we went very fast. Then it is true that last year, perhaps, the temperatures were even higher. The Ducati is certainly the bike to beat and I think the first two really managed to make a difference and take that step that the other Ducati riders are still missing. In any case, I am happy with the race and with the work”, commented Enea.
The Desmosedici GP23 has already found favour with Francesco Bagnaia, who declared that the bike has improved in terms of grip and braking. These are sensations, however, that Bastianini has not yet managed to fully experience.
"It behaves very well when braking from a straight line - admitted the 25-year-old - Corner entry is the phase in which I'm suffering the most right now and where last year I was able to push more, therefore, as I am lacking confidence, I can't do that little bit extra. I think it's better for Pecco and at the moment worse for me, but it's something we have to sort out and it will probably take some time."
From this point of view, the start of the summer break, which awaits the riders after this weekend's round in the Netherlands, will be a godsend.
“The more I'm on the bike, the happier I am, which is why I'm happy that there's another race next week - admitted Enea - I'll certainly always be a little more tired, but that's OK. Then I'll have to work a lot during the summer break to get back to 100% fitness".
