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Bassani confirms Motocorsa exit, set to join Kawasaki
Axel Bassani, who has been with the Italian team Motocorsa for three seasons, has decided to leave and join Kawasaki as the replacement for Jonathan Rea. Bassani, who has achieved multiple podium finishes in WorldSBK, is currently fifth in the standings and is likely to finish as the top independent rider for the second year in a row. Leaving Motocorsa was a difficult decision for Bassani, as they were like a family to him, but he felt it was the right move to try this new experience. Ducati’s decision not to offer him a factory seat alongside Alvaro Bautista made his chances of becoming a factory rider seem unlikely, but Rea’s surprise move to Yamaha for 2024 changed the circumstances. With Bassani’s departure, one of the best opportunities on the grid is now available, and Michael Rinaldi is already being considered as a potential option. The Motocorsa Racing staff and sponsors thanked Bassani for the successful years together and expressed their hope to repeat their success in the upcoming 2023 season. They also emphasized that Bassani will always be part of their family and wished him a future full of success.
Source: Crash