"Sometimes you don't have what you deserve…" - Bassani on factory Ducati snub

06/09/2023 12:30

Axel Bassani has described the decision by Ducati to sign Nicolo Bulega over him for its 2024 WorldSBK Aruba factory seat as a 'strange situation'.

The Italian, currently competing with privateer Ducati team Motocorsa Racing, was considered a strong favourite to land a promotion to the works squad alongside Alvaro Bautista only to be snubbed in favour of Bulega.

Indeed, while Bulega has impressed in the WorldSSP Championship with Ducati this season, Bassani has earned plaudits for his giant-killing performances with relative minnows Motocorsa since joining WorldSBK as a relative unknown in 2021.

- 2023 WorldSBK Championship Standings -

Currently holding down fifth in the overall standings ahead of the resumption of WorldSBK action at Magny-Cours this weekend, Bassani conceded it is disappointing to not be considered.

"The future is always difficult to speak about. I don't know what will happen in the future. I'm doing what I need to do. 

"I try to put in 100% when I'm on the track to try to finish at the front and out of the track it's the job of my manager to speak with the teams. 

"It's not easy to accept but this is the situation. How I feel about not having a factory bike isn't easy to explain. It's a strange world. Sometimes you don't have what you deserve. 

"It's not good for me but also, I feel like people are scared of me because I'm a fast rider and I say what I want to say. It's not easy to have me in a team! It's a strange situation."

For now, Bassani is slated to remain with Motocorsa Racing for the 2024 WorldSBK season though he has since emerged as a contender for the Kawasaki Racing Team seat vacated by Yamaha-bound Jonathan Rea.

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