The start of the Superbike season has shown us an unstoppable Nicolò Bulega and, at the same time, an Axel Bassani in top form on the Bimota. Thanks to his fourth-place finish in Race 1 on Saturday and two second-place finishes on Sunday in the Superpole Race and Race 2, the rider from Veneto is currently the Aruba rider’s direct rival.
Danilo Petrucci is the one who's been forced to play catch-up, and he's still grappling with geting used to the BMW. We spoke with Alberto Vergani about what we saw in Australia. As we all know, he manages the interests of both Bassani and Petrux.
The Manager from Lombardy offered a clear analysis, looking towards the future, while also keeping his feet firmly on the ground.
“I’m really happy for Axel,” he told us. “It might not seem like it from the outside, but Bimota has pulled off a sporting miracle. Over the past two years, they’ve managed to develop two projects in parallel, and, at the presentation, both Axel and I were amazed by what the manufacturer has achieved. The podium in Australia is a first step, but we need to keep our feet firmly on the ground.”
Alberto, how difficult was it for Axel to leave Ducati and switch to a very different bike?
“Leaving Ducati is always a shock for anyone. That's because the Panigale is an easier and safer bike for getting results. That’s the situation today. Nevertheless, Axel rolled up his sleeves, and, with Bimota, he’s reaping the rewards.”
What did Axel tell you after the race?
“He’s happy, but, like I always say. 'keep your feet on the ground'. Now we’re starting from scratch, brick by brick, test by test. One test at a time, one day of work at a time. You have to quickly forget when things went well and start over without getting carried away. There’s not much we can do. We’re still far from the Ducati, and there’s work to be done.”
What’s Bassani’s goal?
“I always talk about the top five as the goal. Then, if we get a second-, a third-, or maybe even a first-place finish, so much the better, even if it depends a lot on how the races go. I always try to take a sportsmanlike approach.”
Did you expect it to be this competitive in Australia?
“Honestly, no. It was a nice surprise. The team worked hard on both the engine and the electronics. They did that famous fine tuning that gives you that extra edge. Everyone is very close now, and it’s the little details that make the difference. But I want to put these results behind me right away and start over from where we were before... working with our heads down. In the trenches, as always.”
How far can Bassani go? After second place, comes the top step…
“For me, it’s already important to consistently be in the top five. That’s the goal. The actual race result depends on so many factors that only the race itself can create, so it’s too early to make enthusiastic proclamations. It’s best to keep a low profile and stay calm, because when you raise expectations too high, everything risks falling apart if things don’t go well.”
How was Axel compared to last season?
“I see him lighter. After what he’s been through over the last two years, starting with two podiums like that takes a lot of the pressure off. The podium is medicine for all riders. It makes you feel good. Now the goal is to try to repeat that and be consistent. Over the winter, Bassani worked on himself, trained, and didn’t stress out too much. The right word is ‘serene’... aware of the work he needs to do, without unrealistic expectations.”
Let’s talk about Petrucci. What can you tell us about his start with BMW?
“I’m happy. The debut was challenging, especially due to the lack of testing. Changing bikes so radically isn’t easy. The difference between Ducati and BMW is huge. You have to change all your reflexes, and that takes time. You have to ride with composure. We did see some positive things, though. The start from sixth position, the rapport with the team. We knew he’d struggle on that track, and so would his teammate. Now the real work begins. Unfortunately, switching from a V4 to straight-four changes everything. You have to adjust your riding style, and it’s no walk in the park.”
Do you hope it won’t be as traumatic as when Danilo switched to KTM?
“It wasn’t traumatic at KTM. The problem is that, at first, they didn’t listen to us. They only listened the following year, when Sterlacchini and Guidotti arrived and lengthened the bike, which was what Danilo had been asking for. Before that, the answer was always, ‘This is the bike’. Danilo felt like he was on a Moto2 bike. In fact, he couldn’t ride it. Computers can say a lot of things, but the rider is the one on the track on the asphalt. I don’t understand why they often don’t listen to the rider. I’ve seen it with Carlos, with Marco, and with Danilo. The rider can override technical specifications because he’s a human being. And the stopwatch is operated by a human. If he has the feel, he gets the result; otherwise, everything becomes very complicated.”
How long do you think it's going to take Petrucci to be competitive?
“I hope as soon as possible. But, above all, I hope they can put in the miles to find the right feeling and be able to compete. At BMW, I see a lot of activity. They’re working hard, even in the wind tunnel. There’s a lot of energy, a great desire to succeed. In my opinion, they want to prove that it’s not just Toprak who makes the bike win. How long it's going to take, I don’t know. I hope less than when Barni and I got as far as Donington before finding the spark. But, back then, there was also the switch from Dunlop to Pirelli, and that took time.”
Do you think the script for this World Championship is already written?
“Right now, I’d say Bulega is the top contender. I’m not saying he’s unbeatable, but only he can lose it. He hasn’t changed a thing from last year and has already proven his level.”
Who surprised you?
“I was surprised by Yamaha’s level: I expected more. Maybe it’s just the track. I hope Honda improves because Johnny Rea is doing well and has the experience needed.”
If Bulega wins the World Championship, do you think the MotoGP is just around the corner for him?
“In my opinion, yes. It would also be a chance for him to prove himself, given that the paddock had kind of sidelined him. Returning there as Superbike World Champion on a Ducati wouldn’t be bad. And, in my opinion, he wouldn’t look out of place. Plus, Ducati made a smart move having them test the MotoGP bike with Pirelli. It’s an important trump card, because he could arrive with a few more miles under his belt than the others. It’s the usual strategic moves from Gigi... cleverness and intelligence.”