Bassani Second Fastest On Day ...

Axel Bassani (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) secured a superb second place in the overnight rankings after setting a strong pace in the sunny conditions that characterised Free Practice Two at the TT Circuit Assen. Alex Lowes placed 14th in the combined practice times after the opening day of action.

A cool and overcast start to the third round of the 2025 WorldSBK Championship gave way to a relatively warm and very sunny FP2 session in the afternoon. After finishing the first session in 15th position Bassani made real progress in the bright sunshine of FP2, seeing only championship leader Nicolo Bulega ahead of him in the combined timesheets.

Bassani’s early weekend second place in a field of 23 competing riders is the single best performance of the season so far for the new bimota KB998 Rimini machine.

Lowes, in an overall 14th place after two sessions (having been tenth after FP1), was only just one second from the leading rider, despite refusing the chance to fit fresh tyres at the end of FP2 to aim for a faster lap time.

Alex and his crew decided to try out a harder option front tyre near the end to give them more options when it comes to making a final tyre choice ahead of Race One on Saturday 12 April.

After the first day of action has now been completed, Free Practice Three, Superpole Qualifying and the first of two 21-lap races will take place on Saturday 12 April.

Alex Lowes, stated: “It was nice to try the bimota here in Assen for the first time. This afternoon was good and we did a long run. We realised that the front tyre was quite worn, so rather than going for a lap time at the end we tried a harder option front, just so that we could have some information for Saturday. We have some ideas and data now. It is important to be as prepared as we can be because they are long races around here. I enjoyed the first taste of Assen on the KB998 Rimini, although the lap times were not as quick as I would like them to be. But, this is our first time here and I am sure there are things we can improve for Saturday.”

Axel Bassani, stated: “I feel quite good on the bike. We started FP1 in not a really good way, in P15. But that was OK because the feeling was good on the bike. In FP2 we started trying some different tyres and the bike was working well. It is only Friday but to be second in FP2, we have to be happy with that. We know where we are losing time, on the straight, but only there. We know we have a good bike and we will try to fight tomorrow. For sure we can improve something.”