Enea Bastianini Identifies KTM's Key Struggle at German MotoGP

Enea Bastianini pinpointed KTM’s lack of turning as the primary challenge at the German MotoGP, not the usual stability issues. The Italian rider finished ninth at Sachsenring on July 18, 2026, while teammate Pedro Acosta led the KTM charge in fourth.

What Went Wrong for KTM at Sachsenring?

Bastianini explained that understeer plagued the RC16, making it difficult to navigate tight corners. 'When you need to go turns five, six, seven, and you are always like this [hanging off the bike], you want to turn, but the front doesn’t want to,' he said. This forced riders to rely on rear traction, which proved unsustainable over long stints.

Why It Matters for Enea Bastianini

The understeer issue highlights the physical demands of the KTM bike. Bastianini admitted the bike is 'very hard' to ride, requiring intense physical preparation. He noted that teammates Brad Binder and Pedro Acosta have also struggled with arm fatigue, though he remains injury-free for now.

What Comes Next for KTM?

Bastianini acknowledged KTM’s ongoing stability challenges but emphasized that turning remains the bigger hurdle. 'We know we don’t have a lot of stability,' he said. 'To manage for all the races is not easy.' The team will likely focus on improving front-end grip ahead of future races.