Axel Bassani stays at Motocorsa Ducati

The Italian rider will remain aboard the team’s solo Ducati V4 R Panigale for a third campaign next year, having established himself as one of the best independent riders in the category.

With four rounds remaining this season, including the Portimao round this weekend, Bassani sits sixth in the standings with two podiums to his name, both achieved last month at Magny-Cours.

“I’m really happy to continue with Motocorsa and we’ll see what happens!” Bassani said. “This year we have done a very good job and we have continued on a good path and grown a lot.

“I’m happy to stay with the mechanics and with the whole team. I hope to compete for the top three but it’s really difficult with Toprak [Razgatlioglu]Johnny [Rea] and Alvaro [Bautista] are on another level right now.

“We’re going to aim for that and try to do the best we can. I hope to be on the podium every weekend! I want to enjoy the moment and this season, and then, during the winter break, I’ll start focusing on 2023.

“The negotiation was normal, like talking with a friend. Me and [team boss] Lorenzo Mauri has a very good friendship; I ask for certain things but nothing special, it was completely normal. I’m really happy to continue with this team because I’m coming to WorldSBK with them.”

Bassani missed the chance to join Alvaro Bautista in the Ducati factory team for 2023 when the Borgo Panigale marque made the decision to retain Michael Ruben Rinaldi for another year.

However, Rinaldi is only 35 points ahead of Bassani in the standings, and the latter has publicly stated on several occasions that beating his factory counterpart will be key to proving himself worthy of a future factory race. .

“It’s special that if I don’t have a place on a factory bike then I’m happy to stay here because I think it’s the best place to race with an independent team,” continued Bassani.

“After 2023 we will see if we have the opportunity to get on a factory bike and compete for the championship.”