Bastianini is back: Enea to return for the Jerez MotoGP

Enea Bastianini is champing at the bit, and rightly so, as he’s been out of action since the Portimao sprint race. The factory Ducati rider was last on track on that Saturday, when he sustained injury after coming into contact with Luca Marini’s bike. Following an enforced break, in which he has rested and focused on the recovery of his shoulder blade, number 23 will depart for Jerez de la Frontera, which means that MotoGP will welcome back one of its frontrunners.

Bastianini embraces MotoGP, or MotoGP embraces Bastianini

The second statement is worth more than the first, because Enea is a top rider that the reigning class cannot do without. Young, talented, factory status, Italian – the 25-year old Rimini native has scored four wins and four podiums in MotoGP and finished third overall in 2022 with independent Team Gresini.

The 2020 Moto2 champion is now a factory Lenovo Ducati rider, a position that he well deserves. Having got off to a good start, Enea was just getting used to life with the factory squad when the unexpected Portuguese incident put him out of action.

In an attempt to understand the condition of his fractured (unoperated) shoulder blade, Enea completed a test at Misano prior to Austin and even stated that he was ready to travel to Texas. But on realising that his fitness was not up to par, the rider decided to wait, postponing his return to next week’s Spanish round. Once aboard the Bolognese prototype, he’ll have a better idea as to his physical condition.