Axel Bassani (Motocorsa Racing) had a superb start to the Prometeon Italian Round in front of his home fans as he took fourth place in the combined classification for the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship. For his second home round of the season, the top Independent rider so far in 2023 was quick from the off at the Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari di Imola as he goes in search of more podiums and, potentially, a maiden victory.

The Feltre-born rider was consistently quick throughout Friday and his rapid pace was on display straight out of the blocks. He was fifth in Free Practice 1 after posting a 1’47.942s although was fastest for a while throughout the early part of the session. His best time was just 0.281s slower than Toprak Razgatlioglu (Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK) with the 2021 World Champion leading the way in the first 45-minute session.

Bassani found around half-a-second in Free Practice 2 as he improved both his time and position, taking fourth in the standings. His best time in the afternoon was a 1’47.548s but, like in FP1, he spent time at the top of the times before late laps from his rivals bumped him into P4. Despite losing ground as the session concluded, the Italian was able to secure fourth in the combined classification. Although three red flags meant long runs were at a premium in FP2, the Ducati rider did reveal the pace he had. In a four-lap stint, he posted a 1’47.523s, 1’47.406s, 1’47.548s and a 1’47.681s before returning to the box. While the first two laps were deleted due to track limits infringements at Turn 22, it highlighted – over a short stint, at least – the pace and consistency Bassani had during Friday’s running.

Reacting to his strong pace, Bassani said: “It was a good day. We started with a good feeling from FP1 and in FP2, I felt good with the bike from the first laps. I think I have good race pace; really consistent. Tomorrow, we will try the SCQ tyre, and we will see if we are fast or slow in Superpole and if we can start from the first or second row to have a good race. Usually, in Superpole, I’m not fast but here we have a different SCQ, like at Misano: there, I was also fast in Superpole. I’m confident.”

Bassani is still chasing his first win in WorldSBK after recording podium finishes in each of his three campaigns in the World Championship. His last podium, and only one of 2023 to date, came on home soil at Misano, and the 23-year-old will be hoping Imola is the scene of his latest rostrum visit as he battles for third in the standings. Could the iconic Italian circuit be the venue where he stands on the top step of the WorldSBK podium for the first time?

Discussing this, Bassani said: “I think it’s possible. At Donington, we were fast, but we had a really s**t Superpole. It wasn’t easy to recover positions. I want to have a good Superpole to try and be able to have a good race.”

Ducati come into the Italian Round with a 250rpm reduction on their Panigale V4 R, which also impacts the Independent teams. Bassani commented on this in his media debrief saying: “The sound is different, it’s not a normal Ducati. It’s not easy to ride like this, but for the moment it’s OK but not if we continue in this way."

Will Bassani celebrate victory at Imola? Find out using the WorldSBK VideoPass!