Intense Czech Circuit Next For BbKRT
Words and images courtesy of Kawasaki Press Racing
Regular bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team riders Axel Bassani and Alex Lowes will compete once again in the 2025 WorldSBK Championship. The paddock reconvenes at the Autodrom Most, in Czechia, between 16-18 May.
The new BbKRT project runs the exciting bimota KB998 Rimini against WorldSBK-spec motorcycles from five other manufacturers. It has already seen Axel and Alex score well in some individual races.
This coming weekend, riding on the serpentine hillside layout that defines Autodrom Most’s unique nature, Axel will be hoping to improve in his single best 2025 season performance of fifth place. Similarly, Alec is aiming to beat his own personal best of sixth place. Both those top single bimota results of the BbKRT season were earned in Race Two at Assen.
Like the two previous rounds, in the Netherlands and Italy, Most is a new track for the bimota KB998 Rimini. There has been no pre-season testing for the bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team at the Czech circuit. This challenges the BbKRT team’s adaptability.
No other WorldSBK circuit crams as many corners into its relatively short 4.212km length.
All 21 of them are on the official Autodrom Most track map. One short main straight is bordered by pitlane on one side and two imposing hilltop grandstands on the other.
Most’s on-track action gets underway on Friday, 16 May. There will be two 45-minute Free Practice sessions available for the WorldSBK riders. FP3 and then Superpole Qualifying will take place shortly before a full-distance 22-lap Race One on Saturday, 17 May.
The BbKRT challenge continues with the Sunday morning Superpole Race, over ten laps. This will be followed by the final 22-lap WorldSBK race of the Most weekend.
After Most, there will be a break of three weekends. WorldSBK restarts in the warm embrace of an Italian summer. The next race will take place at the Misano World Circuit ‘Marco Simoncelli’, between 13-15 June.
Axel Bassani stated: “Last year Most was quite difficult for me, but of course, every year is different because in the years before that I was quite good there. I think we can arrive at the Most circuit with a good sensation. In general, Most could be not bad for us. There are not a lot of long straights on the track layout, so that can be good. The track itself is always physically difficult because there is no time to ‘rest’ between the corners, but I think with a good set-up we can enjoy it.”
Alex Lowes stated: “Autodrom Most is a different challenge but a fun circuit with some very enthusiastic fans. I’m looking forward to the Czech weekend. Qualifying has not been our strongest point lately, so we need to try and qualify as high up the grid as possible. We know how close it is in WorldSBK this season, so a good Saturday morning in Superpole can change the weekend. Most is another new circuit for the bimota KB998. I’m ready to work hard with Team 22 from Friday. It is our target this year to keep improving and to fight for the best possible position in every race.”
