The 2024 KRT rider line up of regular campaigner Alex Lowes and new signing Axel Bassani have already tested some 2024 development parts and set-up strategies at the end of last season.
In this imminent first test of the new calendar year they will evaluate the latest options and offerings that the short but intense development period from Kawasaki, and all their partners, has brought to the fore.
Alex is about to undertake his fifth season inside the KRT set-up, after winning a race in his first race weekend on the Ninja ZX-10RR.
This season will be a novel one for Lowes, not just because he has a new team-mate in Bassani, but because there will several new technical regulations and some immediate personnel changes in his pit garage to understand and then maximise to their full potential.
The 2024 campaign will be even more of a profound new experience for the latest rider to join KRT, Axel Bassani. Coming to KRT as the reigning Independent Riders’ champion in WorldSBK, 2024 will give Axel his first real taste of factory level preparation and competition. He is as keen to get back on track as could be expected given this new opportunity to continue his upward career learning curve inside the official Kawasaki Racing Team.
The two-day test at Jerez offers another opportunity for Bassani to more fully understand his official Ninja ZX-10RR, which is a very different configuration of motorcycle from his most recent WorldSBK experiences.
After the completion of the forthcoming Jerez tests there will be two more days of testing before the entire KRT squad heads out to Phillip Island in Australia to compete in the official DWO pre-season test days, on 19-20 February.
The season gets underway for real, again at Phillip Island, between 23-25 February. The championship will consist of 12 rounds in all, with the final race weekend taking place at Jerez in late October.
Alex Lowes, stated: “The target is to unlock the potential that I have shown with my pace, so that we can put together a strong and consistent championship. The January testing kicks off with a test at Jerez and soon after Portimao. Our target is to work on our used tyre performance as we seemed to drop more than the others during 2023. We have plenty of ideas and also new stuff to work through during these test days to give us all the info needed before we head off to Australia. It’s always nice to get back with the crew and get back to work. I’ve missed that.”
Axel Bassani, stated: “The team and Kawasaki worked a lot in the short winter break. There has not been such a long break since the end of testing last year and we will start again quite early in the year. We have to do a lot, and quickly, to start the new season. For my part, I have to stay calm and focus on the job because it is a new challenge for me. A completely different team and a completely different bike. I have to learn a lot in my first year as a factory rider. This is not easy because you have to fight in all the races for podiums or victories, but I am here for that. I am ready - and working a lot. I’m really excited to start this new adventure with this special brand.”
Guim Roda, KRT Team Manager, stated: “Soon we will get back into track action after the Christmas holiday period. KRT and KMC have been working quietly, but non-stop, this winter. We have organised our structure and the team to achieve again in the 2024 season. Alex has been working a lot to arrive at full gas in Jerez, and Axel has been working on some physical improvements we asked him to attain. In 2024, KRT also will lease a bike to Kawasaki Puccetti Racing - the first time a KRT replica bike will be managed by a ‘satellite’ team. We are convinced Tito Rabat and Kawasaki Puccetti Racing can make a forward step, and at the same time help us with good data to improve the bike continuously. We will start new era without Jonathan Rea, and we all are motivated to work in each small detail to continue being part of the WorldSBK show and give to Kawasaki fans nice moments to enjoy on the racetrack.”
#KRTNewStart2024