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The season that marks Bimota's return to the World Superbike has officially started with the presentation this evening in the province of Rimini. It's a year full of expectations and anticipation after the KB998's excellent performance during the first winter tests and in which Axel Bassani can aim to fight again for top results.
"Last year was tough because no one likes not getting results. So, there's definitely a desire to get back up in front, to race for the positions that matter, but also knowing that the bike is new and, therefore, we might have weekends in which we'll do very well and others when we'll struggle," the Venetian rider said when talking about the spirit with which he approaches this start of the season. "There's going to be something new every weekend, well worth exploring. We really have a lot of work to do on the bike, because we unfortunately didn't get a chance to ride that much during the tests. But there's definitely a desire to be there, to fight for it and get in the game again."
Despite the more than encouraging signs shown by the bike from Romagna in Jerez and Portimão, El Bocia is keeping his feet on the ground without getting carried away by the enthusiasm.
"I've always said that tests are valid up to a certain point. Tests are tests. You don't know what the others are using, you get on the track at different times of the day, and there are so many variables. Surely, being up there in front means that the foundation is good and it works," he commented. "But we can't get distracted, because being up there in front in the first race doesn't mean that you're going to win it. On the contrary, we need to stay even more focused, try to take advantage of the moment, and make the most of everything, to be as strong as possible."
This is a clear change of scenery from the difficulties encountered last season and one that Axel never imagined when he signed with Kawasaki.
"To be honest, I signed with Kawasaki. They started explaining the Bimota project to me in April last year, but I knew nothing about it when I signed. It was a good moment when they told me. I wouldn't say a shock but still something new and nice, because it's a new project where you'll see how it's going to turn out, without knowing what's going to happen," Bassani explained. He's also happy to have the brand's headquarters close to home. "It's nice because there are more possibilities to come and see them and you feel a little more at home. It's always nice to have that feeling, and I hope we can build something great together. It's not going to be easy, but everyone is pretty excited. Right now, we're working really well, and we need to keep it up."
After all you've accomplished, what would Axel say to that guy who entered the World Superbike with Motocorsa in 2021?
"I'd tell him: 'you did well not to care less about everything people said and do your job. You did well to believe in it and not give up, because there are bad moments, but we did it with a team that believed in me," he replied. "We also believed in the project and, in my opinion, we fulfilled the dream of many people, even at home, seeing a small team, with a small rider, arrive among the big guys."
This season, the rider from Feltre could also continue to make people dream, playing the part of the outsider. "Would I like the role of wild card? I hope to be the one who changes the game," he said with a laugh, before analyzing the current numbers on the field.
"Who's going to win at Phillip Island? I think Alex (ed. Lowes) has a great chance to win, because he's always been very strong there with all the bikes. My goal is to try to stay as close to him as possible and try to my chances on the other tracks as well," he said. "How far is the Bimota from the leaders? For me, the first is always Ducati, with BMW really close. I can't place Bimota yet, because it's difficult to assess where we are after only three days of testing."
