Axel Bassani latest to step up for 2021 WorldSBK with Motocorsa Ducati

Axel Bassani has become the fith rider to confirm a switch from the WorldSSP Championship to join the 2021 WorldSBK Championship ranks with Motocorsa Racing.

The 21-year old is considered a rising star in Italian motorcycling, notching up three top six results on his WorldSSP debut in 2017, even if his maiden full-time campaign in 2020 yielded a modest best-finish of eighth place in Estoril.

In between, Bassani developed his skills on ‘big bike’ machinery in the CIV Italian Superbike series, notching up three podiums over the 2018 and 2019 seasons.

For 2021, Bassani will make his WorldSBK Championship debut with Motocorsa Racing, replacing Leandro Mercado on the Ducati Panigale V4 R. The team, which debuted in 2020, scored a pair of top ten finishes in what was an injury-disrupted season for the Argentine.

“I am very happy to start this adventure, this challenge together with the Motocorsa team, Lorenzo Mauri and his collaborator Roberto Terenghi, whom I thank very much for the great opportunity and for the trust they are giving me. I can't wait to start working with the team and to grow over the course of the season as a driver and as a man. 

“At the end of last year, after the last race of the world championship in Estoril, I had the opportunity to do a test with their Ducati V4 RS, but unfortunately, we did few laps due to adverse weather conditions, but already in a few hours of work spent together, I was able to see the great professionalism of this team and their great level of competence, immediately finding myself very well with all the guys.

“It will not be an easy season, there will be many challenges to face, in WSBK no one goes for a walk, but I am sure that with the right working method, with the right consistency.”

Bassani becomes the fourth rider to step up from WorldSSP to WorldSBK, together with champion Andrea Locatelli (Pata Yamaha), Lucas Mahias (Puccetti Kawasaki), Isaac Vinales (Orelac Kawasaki) and Loris Cresson (Pedercini Kawasaki).

2021 WorldSBK Championship Rider Line-up (Provisional)