Enea Bastianini’s season was nothing short of… atypical. In the year in which the Italian made his debut for the factory Ducati team, injuries marked his year early on. With next year getting closer and closer, 2024 could be decisive for the #23’s aspirations, especially when it comes to keeping his place in the team in the face of the Jorge Martín threat.
He started the year in Portugal with an injury that sidelined him for several weeks but, on his return to 100 per cent, the rider showed a little of what led Ducati to bet on his promotion to the main team, with the 2022 rider having Martín as his main opponent in that regard.
He ended up winning, but the 2023 season saw the Pramac Racing rider fighting for the title until the last race of the year, which once again raised the question of who would be in the main Ducati team in 2025.
The season ahead therefore has more reasons to be interested in this battle, again, wich can have this take 2, so to speak: Bastianini vs Martín.
What is certain is that Bastianini is secured until the end of 2024, and Carlos Pernat, the Italian’s manager, has already guaranteed that after an ‘extremely difficult‘ season, the Bestia will be at his best and eager to show his worth, even betting on launching a title bid.
Martín, for his part, has shown that despite being in a satellite team with strong support from Ducati, that’s no reason to be sidelined in the fight for the title.
The ingredients add up and Pecco Bagnaia could have one of his biggest rivals in his teammate, as well as Martín, with both of them launching a new attack on a place in the factory team for 2025.