Photos by Rob Gray (Polarity Photo)
Enea Bastianini is trading Tech3 KTM's struggling package for one of the 2026 grid's genuine front-runners, joining the SuperFile Trackhouse squad on Aprilia machinery for the next two seasons.
Trackhouse confirmed the signing on August 24, with the Italian set to partner Raul Fernandez, who recently renewed with the American outfit. Bastianini fills the seat vacated by Ai Ogura, who is moving to Yamaha. The switch pairs "The Beast" with a team that has been a regular presence at the sharp end of the championship this year - a marked upgrade over the Tech3 KTM effort he's been enduring.
Tech3 announced the split in the week leading up to Aragon, posting a farewell to Il Romagnolo on social media. "After two seasons with the team, it's time to say goodbye to Enea Bastianini at the end of the year," the team wrote. "Thank you for everything you've brought to the team over the past two seasons: the commitment, the racing, the laughs and the moments along the way. We've still got a season to finish together, but we'll be wishing you all the good luck, Enea!" Bastianini still has the balance of 2026 to run out on the RC16 before closing that chapter.
The timing lines up with a broader reset across MotoGP. Bastianini steps into a new-era Aprilia RS-GP built around the incoming regulations, with the reduced-capacity 850cc machinery, revised tires, and a fresh rulebook all landing at once. Pre-season testing kicks off at Valencia after the 2026 finale, giving him an early run at development work on the new bike.
#tech3 #team #seasons #year
Enea Bastianini is trading Tech3 KTM's struggling package for one of the 2026 grid's genuine front-runners, joining the SuperFile Trackhouse squad on Aprilia machinery for the next two seasons.
Trackhouse confirmed the signing on August 24, with the Italian set to partner Raul Fernandez, who recently renewed with the American outfit. Bastianini fills the seat vacated by Ai Ogura, who is moving to Yamaha. The switch pairs "The Beast" with a team that has been a regular presence at the sharp end of the championship this year - a marked upgrade over the Tech3 KTM effort he's been enduring.
Tech3 announced the split in the week leading up to Aragon, posting a farewell to Il Romagnolo on social media. "After two seasons with the team, it's time to say goodbye to Enea Bastianini at the end of the year," the team wrote. "Thank you for everything you've brought to the team over the past two seasons: the commitment, the racing, the laughs and the moments along the way. We've still got a season to finish together, but we'll be wishing you all the good luck, Enea!" Bastianini still has the balance of 2026 to run out on the RC16 before closing that chapter.
The timing lines up with a broader reset across MotoGP. Bastianini steps into a new-era Aprilia RS-GP built around the incoming regulations, with the reduced-capacity 850cc machinery, revised tires, and a fresh rulebook all landing at once. Pre-season testing kicks off at Valencia after the 2026 finale, giving him an early run at development work on the new bike.
#tech3 #team #seasons #year
2 months ago
