WSB: Axel Bassani signs new deal with Motocorsa Racing for 2022

Axel Bassani will stay with the Motocorsa Racing Ducati team for the 2022 World Superbike Championship season.

The Italian moved into the Superbike class last season and, after a slow and steady start, became one of the big surprises of the year. Bassani, who was the youngest rider on the WSB grid, clinched a podium at in Barcelona after leading Race 1 early on.

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From that point onwards, Bassani was consistently battling in and around the top six and fighting with the regular frontrunners. In the final five races, Bassani two fourths and two fifths before failing to finish the final race in Indonesia.

“I am happy with the renewal and to be able to continue the work with the Motocorsa Racing team with which I found myself very well,” Bassani said. “I think it is very positive for our growth path; we have already started working towards 2022 and I hope to confirm and improve last season’s results.

“A special thanks to all my sponsors who allow me to reach my dream, to my fans who follows me from home in preparation in addition to my family.”

Bassani ended the 2021 season ninth overall, just three points behind Kawasaki’s Alex Lowes. Prior to his strong end to the season, the 22-year-old’s first breakthrough came at Misano. Bassani finished sixth in the Superpole race, and seventh in both of the feature races.

He backed it those results up in the following rounds, with fifth place at Most in Race One being his best result of the season before his podium heroics in Barcelona.

“I am happy with Bassani’s confirmation in 2022, with whom we will collaborate trying to repeat the results achieved this season,” team principal Lorenzo Mauri said. “I’m optimistic because we will present ourselves at the start of the new season with a good amount of experience and no longer as a rookie team.

“We are already working in our factory in Lurago d’Erba, Italy, to be ready for a Championship that promises to be at an even higher level of competitiveness. We are looking forward to returning to the track!”