Axel Bassani signs with Kawasaki in WorldSBK

Italy’s Axel Bassani has secured one of the most sought-after seats in the FIM Superbike World Championship after signing a deal with the Kawasaki Racing Team (KRT) for season 2024 and beyond.

Following five seasons spent across World Supersport, Superstock 600 and Superstock 1000, Bassani stepped up to WorldSBK in 2021 with satellite Ducati team, Motocorsa Racing. While he’s yet to record a race win in WorldSBK, the Italian has achieved podiums in all three of his seasons in the category, as well as his first fastest lap this year. In the championship, Bassani finished ninth overall in 2021, seventh in 2022 and sixth this year. He’s also won WorldSBK’s Independent Rider award (for the top-placed non-factory rider) for the past two seasons

Despite finishing the 2023 season poorly after being consistently inside the top ten earlier on, 24-year-old Bassani was seen as an attractive option to join the experienced Alex Lowes at KRT. Obviously, Bassani has big shoes to fill in replacing six-time WorldSBK Champion Jonathan Rea, but Team Manager, Guim Roda, said going for youth over experience was a deliberate move for the coming season.

As Bassani has spent his three years in WorldSBK on a Ducati Panigale, the Kawasaki ZX-10RR will take time to adapt to, but he says he’s looking forward to the challenge, as well as being part of a factory team for the first time in his career.

“I’m really happy for the important opportunity that Kawasaki is offering me,” Bassani said after signing with KRT at the end of September. “I will give the best of myself on and off the track to achieve the best possible results, hoping to give all the Kawasaki fans great emotions and satisfaction!

“I want to thank my family for the sacrifices made and Lorenzo Mauri for the path we have taken together, which has allowed me to stand out in recent years. See you on the track.”

Bassani will make his race debut with KRT at next year’s season-opening WorldSBK round in Australia, which is scheduled for 23-25 February at Phillip Island.