Final Round Gets Underway For ...

Both bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team riders, Alex Lowes and Axel Bassani, played a full part in the first two free practice sessions at the Circuito de Jerez - Angel Nieto circuit in Spain, beginning their on-track preparations for the final three races of the season.

Alex set the fastest non-Ducati time on Friday 16 October, to get within 0.470 seconds of the leading rider, new champion Nicolo Bulega. Alex was sixth overall due to his best single lap, with his team-mate Axel just two places behind in the combined time sheets.

Like most of the riders in the WorldSBK category, the bimota KB998 Rimini riding duo set their best lap times in the morning’s FP1 session, before the track temperatures increased to reduce outright grip.

The weather conditions were dry and often unseasonably warm on Friday, but the weather forecast indicated that Sunday’s last race day of the season may well be held in wet conditions.

With the first day on track at the season finale now complete, Saturday 17 October will host FP3, Superpole Qualifying and then Race One, over 20 laps of the 4.423km long circuit.

Sunday will feature a ten-lap Superpole Race and then a final 20-lap Race Two.

Regardless of the eventual weather conditions on Sunday, fans and the media in general should stay tuned for something special from the BbKRT team before the start of Race Two.

Alex Lowes, stated: “I enjoyed my first day on track at Jerez. This is a track that we have done quite a lot of laps around, and I felt quite good this morning. The pace was fast, but we are probably a little bit further from the Ducatis than we expected. This seems to be a fantastic track for them, and they have some advantages. In the afternoon, I kept the same tyres, really trying to work on the race pace, because around here there can be some tyre drop. I am also trying to improve something with my riding, especially in braking, and trying to ride a little bit differently. I felt quite good on the bike. We are just maybe missing a little bit to really fight for the podium, but you never know. We are going to work hard tonight and try to make some steps forward tomorrow.”

Axel Bassani, stated: “It was quite a hot day in Jerez, and we started in a good way. Going immediately into the 1’38s on the first lap at Jerez is quite good. Compared to last year, we improved a lot, but at the moment, it is not enough. We finished the day in P8, which is good; inside the top ten. For the race pace, I think we have a lot to do, but I also feel like we can improve a lot. Especially after 17 laps, when we have a little bit of drop now. So we have to focus on that area. But if we take everything into account, it has been quite a positive day, so we have to keep working like we do every time. We will continue like this and see how things are tomorrow.”