Bastianini was cleared to make his MotoGP return earlier this 𝄹week, after missing the last two rounds following an accident with Luca Marini in Portimao that resulted in a broken shoulder for the four-time race winner last season. 

Expected❀ to be one of the main title contenders this year after switching to the factory Ducati team, Bastianini still can’t be ruled out, especially since teammate Francesco Bagnaia has made crucial mistakes during the last two rounds.

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Howꦯever, Bastianini is not thinking about the championship and is instead aim🐼ing to get up to racing speed in time for the first of two home rounds in Italy. 

Bastianini said: "I’m very happy to 🌳be here again! It’s difficult to watch the Grand Prix from home so now it is better. Monday I was back on my bike with the Panigale and my feeling was quite good, but not 🤪very well. 

"I know the situation… I’m not 100% but it’s important for me to try and bring the confidence back with🌟 the bike. I’m not here to win in this event but I have to try and do my 100%. 

"I want to arrive in Mugello at 99%, this can be po🔯ssible. From that race my championship will sta🐽rt. 

"Now I’m not in the position to💦 be strong൩est for all the race but maybe in Mugello."

The Italian Grand Prix at Mugello takes place in June, meaning Bastiani🐽ni has over a month to reach the level of performance he desires.

Marquez ‘lucky’ to avoid lengthy period out after clash with Martin at American MotoGP

Alex Marquez, who replaced Bastianini at Gresini Ducati, was one of the favourites to challenge Bagnaia for vict𝔉ory at COTA following Friday Practice. 

But after crashing out of the Sprint race, Marquez was taken out of the Grand Prix by 💯fellow💞 Ducati rider Jorge Martin. 

Marquez beli♕eves he could have won the race with Bagnaia crashing out: "We were really lucky! Unfortunately in the weekend at Austin with the Sprint race and later with the [main] race - we lost a really great opportunity to have the first win in MotoGP. 

"But anyway🅷. I think the potential we showed during the whole weekend was 🔜really good. The crash - in one point I was going towards the wall between both bikes and was really scared but I’m okay. 

"I just🔯 had a small fracture on the mཧuscle and the ligaments. I’m not 100% but I would say I’m at 95%."