Marco Melandri Shares Wealth of Experience to Assist Axel Bassani in WorldSBK

Veteran Superbike rider Marco Melandri was present at the WorldSBK Catalunya test to act as Axel Bassani’s riding coach, bringing his wealth of experience to help adapt the young talent to his new team Kawasaki. Melandri, winner of 22 WorldSBK races, noted that although Bassani faced challenges adapting to the ZX10-RR, his ability and speed were clear, showing that with time and effort can achieve good results.

Bassani, who recently switched from Ducati to become a factory Kawasaki rider, is having trouble adjusting to the new bike. However, Melandri expressed confidence in his ability to overcome these challenges, highlighting his willingness to absorb information and his motivation as strengths. Melandri praised Bassani’s riding style and emphasized the importance of giving the rider time to adjust given the different nature of the bike compared to the Ducati.

Bassani faced some difficulties during the test in Catalonia, finishing only 15th and 1.3 seconds behind Nicolo Bulega’s fastest time. However, Bassani pointed out that the team managed to achieve some improvements at the end of the test, especially in terms of confidence in the front end of the bike. He expressed his determination to improve his performance for the race weekend, recognizing the importance of a good grid position to be able to compete with the leaders.

Melandri’s contribution as Bassani’s coach could be an essential element in helping the rider adapt to the new bike and meet the challenges of maximizing his potential. With the support and guidance of an experienced WorldSBK Champion, Bassani has the opportunity to grow and progress in his career, turning challenges into learning and development opportunities.

As the season progresses, it will be interesting to see how Bassani uses the lessons learned during testing and Melandri’s guidance to improve his race performance. With dedication and hard work Bassani can turn their promises into tangible results and strengthen their position as one of WorldSBK’s leading competitors.