Carlo Pernat apologises to Enea Bastianini for 2025 MotoGP prediction, ‘in a lot of trouble’

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Enea Bastianini arguably endured one of the toughest winters of any MotoGP rider. Having lost one of the most desirable seats on the grid at the Ducati factory team, he’s moved to KTM satellite squad Tech3.

Across five days of testing, Bastianini didn’t place any higher than 15th. Only during the final eight hours in Buriram did he manage to get within a second of the pacesetter.

Of course, lap times aren’t everything in pre-season testing. Alex Marquez is adamant every rider pushed flat out in the time-attacks, but some may have been prioritising long-run pace.

Either way, though, Bastianini has admitted that he’s struggling to adapt to the KTM RC16. Since graduating to the premier class at the start of 2021, he’s only ridden Ducati bikes.

Bastianini has consulted Pedro Acosta’s data to determine how he must change his riding style. Acosta was consistently the lead KTM rider across the five days.

The Austrian manufacturer are excited about their four-rider line-up for 2025, having also signed Maverick Vinales for Tech3. But the hype has certainly cooled after two difficult tests.

Why Carlo Pernat fears for Enea Bastianini at Tech3 in 2025

Bastianini split with his manager Carlo Pernat back in January. He’ll now be represented by the London-based MSM agency.

Pernat says he would have ripped up Bastianini’s KTM contract had he known the truth of their financial situation. The company is in around £2bn debt.

On Tuesday, there will be a vital vote on a proposed restructure. According to Pernat, this will determine whether KTM can develop their bike during the season.

As it stands, the RC16 appears flawed. KTM faced ‘horrific’ tyre issues in Buriram, further complicating the adaptation period for Bastianini.

“[Bastianini] was one of my riders until a few weeks ago and I love him a lot,” Pernat told Men on Wheels. “But I see it really hard for him now because he seemed to be in a lot of trouble.

“The RC16 is very rigid and it kills the tyres. Enea comes from different automatisms and it will take him time.

“And then there is the great unknown of the KTM situation. In a few days there will be the famous approval of the restructuring plan and only then will it be possible to understand if some money will also arrive for MotoGP.

“If nothing arrives there will be no development and Enea will have to make do with what he’s given. But maybe you want to know who the favorites are in my opinion and there, I’m sorry for Enea, the names I have to mention are others.”

Herve Poncharal has made an ‘extraordinary’ admission about Enea Bastianini before the Thailand Grand Prix

Test rider Pol Espargaro has revealed that KTM staff have received assurances about their future in MotoGP. The ‘project will continue to live’, he says.

Team members have denied that development will be curbed by wider issues. They finished second in the constructors’ championship behind Ducati last season and want to close the gap.

Based on testing, KTM will need to make swift changes to their motorcycle to combat excessive tyre wear. Buriram is one of the hottest venues on the calendar, but equally, they seemed to be suffering more than their rivals.

Herve Poncharal admits Bastianini needs something ‘extraordinary’ to happen if he’s to finish in the top five at the Thailand Grand Prix. For a rider who won two races and scored nine podiums last year, that must be a sobering statement.