After seeing Alvaro Bautista make a surprising error on lap one, Bassani had the opportunity to finish as the highest Ducati rider for the 🐓first time this season.

Early passes on Andrea Locatelli and Jonathan Rea made that possibility eve൩n more likely, before overtaking Razgatlioglu for the race lead. 

• Ray claims best WorldSBK finish of his career in Race 2, “it wasꦓ un𒊎believable” 
• 🦹Razgatl🐽ioglu: “The championship is not finished”, Bautista admits to “mistake”

Bassani then controlled the pace at the front and looked on course to challenge for victory before Razgatlioglu made a move on lap ♑12.

Able to improve his performance,🐓 Razgatlioglu broke away from the Motocorsa rider immediately. 

Although it wasn't a victory in the❀ end for Bassani, Race 2 at Imola was his best showing as a WorldSBK rider.

Speaking to WorldSBK.com, Bassani said: "I’m r🅰eally happy with my second place. I finished behind Toprak, one of the best riders in the world. It’s an honour to battle with him. 

"📖I tried to do my race and stay in front to do my pace. Here it’s really hot. You need some clear air. I fin🐓ished second, and the first Ducati, so I’m happy for my team. 

"They did an incredible job. We need to grow up. We are very close and today we did a good job. We’ll look at the data to see if we can mak💧e a step. We will see at Most."

With his second place finish Bassani has kept🌜 himself in co✅ntention with Jonathan Rea and Andrea Locatelli for P3 in the championship. 

Locatelli, who is currently third, managed a podium in the Superpole Race before finishing 🐼fourth in Race 2.

"We did a very good job this morning in the Superpole Race, the choice with the tyre was perfect," said the Yamaha rider. "I’m a bit disappointed about Race 1 and Race 𝓡2; we change the tyre choice sometimes and yesterday especially, the feeling wasn’t the best one. 

"Race 1 I was fighting front grip 💧and in Race 2, I was fighting rear grip. I think we lost the opportunity in the long races to fight for the podium. 

"It’s been a strong and positive weekend, so need to be happy. It’s also my first time here on a Superbike, so we need to consider everything.🦩 

"I’m proud of myself and the job Yamaha and my staff are doiꦐng with me."

Locatelli also had his say on the battle for the top three inꦐ the standings, adding: "Me and Jonny are fighting a lot but I want to try and keep third position in the Championship. 

"It gives me 🐻a lot of motivation but it will also be a good result for me. We need to believe, work a lot and we can be competitive and try to stay in front. 

"Ma🎉ybe we can get a lot of podiums but we will enjoy it like this weekend."