SBK, Ducati didn’t want him, Kawasaki’s considering Axel Bassani for Rea’s spot

The Superbike will be starting again from Magny-Cours on September 9th to 10th. Before that weekend, the cards will have to be laid down on the table, and Johnny Rea – who signed a two-year contract with Kawasaki last year – is definitely at the center of market discussions. Although the Cannibal is bound to the Akashi constructor until 2024 as per contract, many questions have arisen about his future.

The situation is very clear: after six titles won, Johnny is facing the most difficult year, ever since he’s been with Kawasaki, and the numbers speak for themselves. In fact, he’s only had one victory this season and is more than 170 lengths behind Bautista's Ducati in the World Championship.

And, as if that weren’t enough, there doesn’t seem to be anything new on the horizon from Japan.  That’s why Rea is considering alternatives, and all clues lead to Yamaha, since Toprak left to join BMW. Johnny’s entourage and Yamaha management, supported by their sponsor, Prometeon, have already met to figure out how to reach an understanding, so we’ll soon be hearing something about it.

If Johnny were to leave, Kawasaki is already looking ahead for a replacement, so as not to end up holding the bag. According to what we’ve learned, the team led by Guim Roda has tested the waters, or better, the track, which leads to Axel Bassani, the best independent rider, as well as the second fastest Ducati after Alvaro Bautista’s.

Despite his performance on the track, Ducati Aruba preferred Bulega as a replacement for Rinaldi. So Axel has a card left in his deck to choose from at the moment: continue with Motocorsa or accept a possible proposal from Kawasaki, if Johnny were to leave.

The Motocorsa team and its Panigale V4 represent a safe haven for Bassani, given the path he took three years ago. At the same time, Axel said that someone like him is enticed by demanding challenges, to the extent that he admired Toprak’s decision to ride a bike like the BMW.  

Bassani and his entourage are, therefore, waiting to see what Rea and Kawasaki will do. Along with the Venetian rider, Kawasaki is also considering Michael Rinaldi, who is leaving Ducati. The Spanish rider is also in the spotlight of the negotiations after his split up with Aruba.