Bimota has announced that Alex Lowes and Axel Bassani will remain with the team for the 2026 WorldSBK season.
The Italian manufacturer made its return to the series in 2025 through a partnership with the Japanese brand Kawasaki.
Bimota has ensured that Lowes and Bassani will remain with the Rimini-based squad for 2026, as both have made impressive strides on what is effectively a brand-new bike.
Lowes secured the team’s best result with a fourth-place finish in Race 1 at Most, while Bassani achieved his best result of fifth in Race 2 at Assen.
Bassani and Lowes sit 10th and 11th in the championship, respectively, as they head into the team’s home race weekend at Misano, marking the halfway point of the season.
“I am really happy to continue this project that we have started together with Bimota and Kawasaki,” Lowes stated to WorldSBK.
“We have a lot of work to do but our target is to bring the KB998 Rimini consistently to the front in WorldSBK racing.
“It’s still in the early stages of development but everyone is working hard – both on and off the track – and I am proud to be part of the story.
“Every race or test is a chance to keep moving forward. I’m very motivated for us to achieve some great success together.
“I want to say a big thank you to the team, Bimota and KMC for the support and trust they have shown in me.”
Bassani expressed: “I am really very happy to continue this project into 2026 sure in the knowledge that both the team and I can still grow a lot and meet some important goals together.
“I thank, from the bottom of my heart, all the people who support me and make all this possible – my sponsors, managers, fan clubs and family.
“Thanks also to Bimota and Kawasaki for the support and trust they have shown.
“Now we will stay focused to finish this 2025 season in the best possible way and start charging again for 2026.”
Bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team Manager Guim Roda stated that “confirming Alex and Axel early this year enables us to move forward without distraction and with a clear direction.”
The organisation is yet to claim a podium on its return to the series, but Roda made it clear that the effort of both riders “goes beyond what the current results might suggest.”
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