Bassani and Kawasaki confirmed their deal during the ꧒Portimao WorldSBK round, which means Bassani will ༒become a factory rider for the first time in his career.

The last two r☂ounds in Aragon and Portimao have been well below Bassani’s usual standard, but despite that, the Motocorsa Ducati rider is on course to finish as the top Independent rider for the second year in succession. 

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After missing out on the Aruba.it Ducati seat, Bassani hopes of beco🌺ming a factory rider looked to be all-but over for another season.

However, the Italian was quickly thrown back into the mix when Rea annou𝐆nced his shock switch to Yamaha.

Although Bassani is still without a win in WorldSBK, the 24-year-old has been close on a couple of occasions, which for a satellite r🍬ider is very impressive given the competitiveness at the head of the grid. 

But Rea is expecting big things from a rider he’s 🌞competed with🐬 many times in 2023 for podium finishes. 

“I heard about him 🌳signing an hour before the press release,” said Rea. “G💯uim Roda sent me a message. It’s a great opportunity for him to join an official team. 

“We saw each other in the paddock [at Portimao] and I told him that he’ll be involv﷽ed with a group of exceptional people. He’ll h෴ave things to do. I wish him all the best.”

Bassani will line-up alongside Alex Lowes who will bꦇe taking part in his fifth season at Kawasaki.