Bastianini: I can do everything with GP21 bike, ready for Qatar
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Enea Bastianini believes he’s more competitive than ever heading into next month’s MotoGP season opener in Qatar. While only 19th during the official Mandalika pre-season test, Bastianini was quickest at Sepang after setting a new unofficial lap record. The pace shown by Bastianini was particularly impressive given the Malaysian test was his first aboard the GP21 bike, previously rode the GP19 in 2021. The 2021 package Bastianini will compete on is the same bike that Ducati won seven races with last season – the most of any manufacturer as Yamaha managed one less. Related Mir: Off-line you cannot brake, overtake, you can’t do nothing Mir ‘doubts’ Ducati and Yamaha struggles, ‘no complaints’ about new engineDespite the lower than expected finish during Sunday’s final day of the Mandalika MotoGP test, Bastianini felt another step forward was made, while confessing he never attempted a time attack. “In the end the test is done and now we are ready to race. We have made a really good test here in Mandalika and we have made another step forward,” said the 2020 Moto2 champion. Related Espargaro: It’s unbelievable how much Aprilia turns, impossible to go wide Mir: Suzuki ‘clearly improved’ top speed, most race-ready team”It was better in Sepang as we could try to push more in every session, lap-by-lap and my position today is not so great. “But we didn’t try to put a time attack. We just worked on the race pace. At the end we are very happy and ready for Qatar.”Following his fifth day of testing in nine days, Bastianini was also asked where he feels most progress has been made compared to his rookie season. “4The 24 year-old pointed to the GP21 bike being ‘more competitive’ while also making significant strides himself. Bastianini added: “Now I’m more competitive and also I have a more competitive bike. My feeling is better in every session. “I can do everything with this bike, I can be fast, also I can work better with the team because when you are a rookie it’s difficult to work with the electronics, the power and now I’m more competitive. We will see what happens during the first race.””5
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