Enea Bastianini has responded to scrutiny over his future with a sup💛erb start to the year.

Fifth in the Qatar grand prix then second in Portugal and third in America means Bastianini is even out-per🔜forming teammate Francesco Bagnaia after three rounds.

Factory Ducati rider Basꦯtianini finds himself second in the MotoGP standings, 21 points off leader Jorge Martin.

“Nice to see Enea. He always comes forwar🎶ds. That is his forte,” Michael Laverty analysed on TNT Sports after the Americas MotoGP.

“He is strong, he manages his tyres well.

“To pass Pecco, his ꧅teammate, on the same machinery on the final laps, and to do it with typica🐲l aggression? Enea is not scared of a lunge up the inside of Pecco.

“It was go🥀od to see from Enea. He’s getting himself back into proper contention within the factory Ducati colours.

“Because everyone is a🐓fter his seat for next year…

“Look at Bastianini a𒊎nd you think he’s been under-the-radar. But he’s in contention.

“Martin✤ finishing fo🌃urth, that’s good for [Bastianini’s] title aspirations.

“It is a very long g𒁏ame. There ꦗare so many contenders.

“We haven’t whittled it down. There are still five o♔r six.”

Bastianini won the second-most amount of grands prix, behinﷺd champion Bagnaia in 2022 while a Gresini rider.

He edged Pramac’s Martin to ༺the factory ride but his 2023 was scuppered by injury𓃲.

Meanw꧑hile, Martin took the title fight to the final round and has demanded to be given Bastianini’♛s bike next year.

But Bastianini, finally fit ♑after his serious s𒆙houlder problem, is emerging as a title contender himself this season.

“He is happy with his shoulder,” Laverty said.

“This is the most physical track on the shoulders.🌸 He’s got that answered, and he’s got the solution with his bike.

“He’s got the feeling bac♛k with the front end. “The GP24 suits him. He’sဣ got consistency.

“Second-place in the championship, he’s got confꦅidence gro🌺wing and building.

“It’s a podium at the right time as ꦯwe head back to Europe.”