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bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team’s riders have enjoyed a vote of confidence from their team in their endeavour to return the manufacturer to WorldSBK glory. Both riders, Axel Bassani and Alex Lowes have been re-signed by their team for 2026. Their brand-new KB998 Rimini has proven a capable platform so far in its maiden 2025 season, propelling the pair of riders to place within the top 10. Even going back to preseason testing, both riders have been remarkably even, frequently crossing the finish line within close proximity of each other; finishing within one position of each other 7 times across this season’s 12 races so far. Both riders enjoyed their best result of the season so far at Assen, Bassani finishing the race in P5 ahead of his running mate Lowes in P6.

“Everyone is working hard - both on and off the track - and I am proud to be part of the story” - Alex Lowes on his team’s quest for success

Having joined World Superbike back in 2011 as a replacement rider aboard a Honda for just four races, his WorldSBK career began in earnest in 2014 when he landed a full-time seat with Suzuki. After two years with Suzuki, taking a trio of podiums in that time, the Lincoln native moved to Yamaha machinery, racing aboard the Yamaha R1 from 2016-2019. Those years with Yamaha were some of the most successful of his career up to this point, earning 17 podiums and his first WorldSBK race win in 2018 at Brno. 2020-2024 saw Lowes join his previous manufacturer before Bimota, Kawasaki, where he has enjoyed some of his career’s best form, earning 22 podiums and three race wins across the five seasons. 2025 has brought his teammate Bassani and his Provec Racing team to the new bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team project together, continuity which has seemed to pay dividends in their good form even at this early juncture. In total, Lowes has accumulated the fourth-most race starts in WorldSBK history, only behind Tom Sykes, Troy Corser, and Jonathan Rea (Pata Maxus Yamaha).

On the progress he’s seen atop their KB998 Rimini, Lowes said: “I am really happy to continue this project that we have started together with Bimota and Kawasaki. We have a lot of work to do but our target is to bring the KB998 Rimini consistently to the front in WorldSBK racing. It’s still in the early stages of development but everyone is working hard - both on and off the track - and I am proud to be part of the story. Every race or test is a chance to keep moving forward. I’m very motivated for us to achieve some great success together. I want to say a big thank you to the team, bimota and KMC for the support and trust they have shown in me.”

“I’m really happy to continue this project into 2026, I know that both the team and I can still grow a lot” - Bassani on he and his team’s potential for improvement

Having joined WorldSBK in 2021, Bassani started his career in the Championship aboard Ducati machinery, where he raced for three seasons, earning six podiums. 2024 brought with it a change to Kawasaki, where he raced alongside Lowes for the first time. Bassani is 8 years junior to Lowes, and while he has still much to learn, the Italian rider has looked to have taken big strides this offseason particularly with addressing his struggles in Superpole events, where he struggled to place in the higher grid positions, setting him back in the subsequent races. In 2025 however, Bassani has been the faster of the two so far but by slim margins, both riders will look to continue collecting data for their teams and taking steps forward not only this season, but now into 2026.

On the feeling he has about the new Bimota racing project, Bassani said: “I am really very happy to continue this project into 2026 sure in the knowledge that both the team and I can still grow a lot and meet some important goals together. I thank, from the bottom of my heart, all the people who support me and make all this possible - my sponsors, managers, fan clubs and family. Thanks also to Bimota and Kawasaki for the support and trust they have shown. Now we will stay focused to finish this 2025 season in the best possible way and start charging again for 2026.”

“Confirming Alex and Axel enables us to move forward without distraction and with a clear direction. There’s still a big job ahead of us - but we’re ready for it.” – Team Manager Guim Roda on his team’s outlook on 2025 and 2026

bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team Manager  Guim Roda has been consistent in his measured stance towards this season’s objectives, he has stressed the fact that this project is a new one, and while good results are encouraging, and certainly a testament to the skill of their riders, their KB998 is very much a work in progress that, in time, they feel will be one of the top bikes in the competition. On their rider announcement, Roda said: “The extension of rider agreements from KMC, Bimota, and BbKRT was clear and straightforward. Alex and Axel have been doing an outstanding job this season and the progress they’ve made with the KB998 Rimini is undeniable. Their true level of performance goes beyond what the current results might suggest, but this is something that must be understood within the context of this project's development phase. We are in the middle of an evolving process, using race activities as a key part of development. Our plan is to continue this work through the 2025 and 2026 WorldSBK seasons. We’ve asked the riders to stay fully focused and give their maximum effort, even if it means sacrificing personal achievements for the greater good of the project. Anyone with an understanding of racing can recognise their value. Kawasaki and Bimota are fully committed to doing everything possible within the constraints of the regulations. Confirming Alex and Axel early this year enables us to move forward without distraction and with a clear direction. There’s still a big job ahead of us - but we’re ready for it.”

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