Herve Poncharal explains why Tech3 were ‘a bit worried’ about signing Enea Bastianini from Ducati

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Enea Bastianini will be unveiled as a new Tech3 rider on Thursday. The satellite squad are holding their launch in conjunction with suppliers KTM.

There’s an argument that KTM have the best strength in depth of any team on the MotoGP grid. The factory team will field Brad Binder, a two-time Grand Prix winner, alongside Pedro Acosta, one of the most exciting rookies in recent history.

Meanwhile, Tech3 secured the coup of Maverick Vinales after his surprise Aprilia exit. Among the current grid, only Francesco Bagnaia (51) and Marc Marquez (111) have collected more podiums than Top Gun (35).

That just leaves Bastianini, who lost his spot at Ducati. The Italian couldn’t keep up with Bagnaia and Jorge Martin in the battle for the title last year.

He ultimately finished fourth in the championship, six points behind Marquez. And the six-time premier class champion has taken his seat for the new season.

Still, Bastianini brings real pedigree to his new team. He’s won exactly 10% of the 70 Grands Prix he’s started to date – a commendable record.

Herve Poncharal feared Tech3 couldn’t live up to Enea Bastianini’s standards after Ducati stint

Bastianini and Vinales both had the chance to sample the KTM bike at the post-season test in Barcelona. Speaking to GPOne, team boss Herve Poncharal admitted he was worried before the session.

The former had spent his entire MotoGP career to date on Ducati bikes, including the last two years at the factory squad. His arrival coincided with their dominance – they have won the last five constructors’ championships.

Poncharal feared that riding the KTM would be a comedown for Bastianini. After all, Tech3 finished nearly 650 points behind his old team last year.

However, both riders returned to the garage feeling ‘really positive’. Caution remains, because the conditions for the Malaysia test next month will be very different.

• READ MORE: Everything you need to know about the KTM Tech3 MotoGP team including current riders and history

“Until this test, we were a bit worried, because Enea came from the Ducati Factory Team, which is currently the benchmark in MotoGP,” Poncharal said. “And Maverick had been in the Aprilia team since 2021, so we didn’t know how they would judge the KTM.

“We prayed to see smiling faces in the garage after the first laps of this test. And it was clear: both riders left the Barcelona test with a really positive impression.

“But it was a short test. In Sepang, it will be as hot as in autumn during the race, while in Barcelona it was quite cool.”

The surprising rumour about Enea Bastianini’s Tech3 deal after Carlo Pernat split

Privately, Bastianini may indeed have regrets about signing for a KTM affiliate. But that’s not necessarily a reflection on the RC16.

Former manager Carlo Pernat would have torn up Bastianini’s deal, or so he says, had he known the reality of the situation. The KTM company are in crisis, with billions in unpaid debts.

There are concerns that this could, first and foremost, affect the development of this year’s bike. And beyond that, their future in the series is in serious doubt.

There’s a rumour that Bastianini signed a small deal with KTM, in terms of salary. That’s surprising given his status, but it will at least ease some of the pressure.