In a bold, controversial move, Ducati has decided to let Enea Bastianini go, declaring he “doesn’t deserve” to stay on the factory team. It’s a decision that’s ignited paddock chatter and left MotoGP fans buzzing as Bastianini’s spot was up for grabs in a high-stakes game between Jorge Martin and Marc Marquez. Marquez emerged victorious, with Martin moving to Aprilia, and Bastianini being handed a Tech3 KTM ride for 2024.
Yet, Bastianini could still leave his mark this season, particularly at the season-finale in Barcelona, where Ducati’s golden boy, Pecco Bagnaia, is in a title duel with Martin. As TNT Sports’ Neil Hodgson put it, Bastianini “might have a point to prove,” and with Ducati’s decision looming over him, he could become an unexpected wildcard in the championship showdown.
Ducati’s choice to cut ties with Bastianini wasn’t entirely shocking, but it’s left fans divided. “He’s had two years and has been destroyed by his teammate,” Hodgson stated bluntly, adding, “Not everybody can warrant being in the No. 1 team.” Bastianini’s record has been impressive—he took the second-most wins in 2022 behind Bagnaia as a Gresini rider, earning him a coveted factory Ducati seat. But an early-season injury in 2023 hindered his performance, and despite flashes of brilliance, Ducati seems to think he hasn’t lived up to expectations.
MotoGP analyst Michael Laverty added his own sharp critique, noting that Bastianini’s notorious “sleepiness on a Friday” has held him back. “He gets into his groove on Saturday and delivers on Sunday, but it’s enough to be top three, not champion,” Laverty explained, emphasizing the fine line Ducati draws for its elite roster.
With Marquez now set to be Ducati’s primary weapon, expectations are sky-high. As Hodgson hinted, Ducati’s focus is clear: “The paddock believes Ducati got it right, that Marc could be so good next year he might win three or four titles.” This high-stakes gamble might just signal Ducati’s ultimate win-or-bust mentality, as the team’s commitment to dominance leaves no room for anything less.
Now, Bastianini faces a fresh challenge with Tech3 KTM alongside Maverick Vinales. While his Ducati tenure may have fallen short, his transfer to KTM could be a turning point, setting him up to prove Ducati wrong in a major comeback story.