MotoGP Qatar: ‘Unexpected, emotional’ day for Bastianini, ‘I understand my potential’

The first MotoGP race of 2022 proved first time lucky for Enea Bastianini and the Gresini Racing partnership at Qatar.

Having hinted at the potential in store throughout preseason testing - with an all-new circuit record at Sepang - followed up with topping FP3 and qualifying on the front row, Bastianini came out fighting for Sunday’s 22-lap season opener.

With Fausto Gresini guiding his early career into the World Championship, the first year as an independent premier class team for Gresini Racing with Nadia Padovani at the helm after the loss of her husband one year ago, proved emotional on every level.

The 24-year-old bided his time in the front group at the start before his characteristically strong late-race-pace came into it’s own. Bettering World Champion talents Joan Mir and Marc Marquez, Bastianini sat in third behind KTM’s Brad Binder until opportunity presented itself at the halfway stage. Dispatching the South African on lap 13, it took just five more to reel in Pol Espargaro out front, the Honda suffering with tyre wear in the closing stages and forced to settle for third overall. A late resurgence from the KTM saw the Gresini rider fight to maintain his victory, while concentrating hard to prevent any late mistakes which could destroy the dream.

“Emotional day for us, for all the team,” the first-time MotoGP race winner admitted from Parc Fermé. “We have cried all at the end of the race. We did a very good job from also the test and this weekend. The setup of the bike was incredible. We are working very well with the electronics to arrive prepared for the race and this morning in the warm up when I see our really good pace, I understand ‘okay, I can manage good the race’.

“Yesterday for the first time I did