Returning to the paddock after their summer break, rested and ready to rock, Axel Bassani (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) and Alex Lowes (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) took part in the pair of test days at MotorLand Aragon ahead of Round 9 of the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship hosted at the Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours.

The Rimini-based factory team has had a pleasant surprise of a return season, competing in WorldSBK for the first time in more than a decade, featuring the manufacturer’s first podium since 2000. The test’s opening day saw limited running due to wet conditions, which persisted throughout much of the day. The Bimota pair, however, were unaffected as they didn’t appear on track until Day 2. While rain wasn’t a factor on Day 2, the hot Aragonese weather was, complicating things for riders but providing a good opportunity to iron out issues in such balmy conditions.

KNUCKLING DOWN TO BUSINESS “It’s been difficult conditions; but we’ve tried out a lot of different things”

Axel Bassani's time on track at Aragon was a good first look back for the 26-year-old Italian after the month-long break before the final third of the season. He ran a total of 94 laps on the day, one of three Bimota KB998 Rimini bikes on the track as the rider pair were joined by Xavi Fores, who ran a total of 35 laps for the team. Bassani’s best time came in the morning, a 1’50.396s time which netted him P8 on the day ahead of Michael van der Mark (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team).

Bassani said: “We’re now finished the weekend here in Aragon, we tried lots of things, especially for the race here after the French Round. It’s been a busy day here at the track. It’s been really hot here, so it’s been difficult conditions, but we’ve tried out a lot of different things. The whole team worked hard, and I’m feeling good about Magny-Cours. I think we can do a good job there.”

ADDRESSING STICKING POINTS: “This is one of the more difficult tracks for us, so it was important for us to come here and test”

Alex Lowes has been in strong form leading up to the summer break. Aside from a tough break at his home round at Donington, ruled out after Race 1 with an ankle injury, Lowes earned the manufacturer’s first podium since 2000. More recently, last time out at Balaton, Lowes earned a pair of top sixes, a placement he’s landed six times now this season. At the test, Lowes managed another P6 on Day 2, setting his 1’49.682s in the morning.

On his test, Lowes said: “It’s been really nice to get back with the whole team and back on track with Axel. We only completed the second day of the test, and it was extremely hot; I think we had an air temperature of 35 degrees and 55 degrees on track around midday. This is one of the more difficult tracks for us, so it was important for us to come here and test. I felt quite good on the bike; it’s nice to have some more laps under my belt here before we come to race. It was my first time here with a Bimota. Now we're ready for Magny-Cours! We tried some different things on the front of the bike, and some different things from Showa. We made some small steps, but in general, it was more about getting back up to speed and trying the bike out for the first time here at Aragon. The team has been working hard over the last few days. It was a big couple of days with Xavi Fores, and now we’re looking ahead to the next races at Magny-Cours.”

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