Feature Story
Bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team Completes Successful Jerez Test
Bassani and Lowes Make Strides with Bimota in Challenging Conditions
The Circuito de Jerez - Angel Nieto hosted the first major WorldSBK test session of the 2025 season on January 22-23, providing the Bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team with a critical opportunity to fine-tune their WorldSBK-spec KB998 Rimini machine. Regular riders Axel Bassani and Alex Lowes showcased strong performances, finishing fifth and tenth fastest overall, respectively, as the team continued preparations for the upcoming championship.
This test marked the team’s third outing with the KB998 Rimini machine, as they worked to finalize its base setup ahead of the season opener in one month. Both riders faced challenging weather conditions, with high winds persisting throughout the two days and damp patches initially present on day one following overnight rain. As the track dried, Lowes focused on refining his ergonomic package, testing updates to the fuel tank, seat, and riding position. His limited but consistent laps during the day’s four-hour session yielded valuable progress.
Day two brought persistent rain, which saw Lowes opt out of riding. However, Bassani took to the wet track for his first experience on the KB998 in such conditions. Despite completing only a half day on track during both sessions, Bassani’s feedback and data collection proved invaluable for the team’s ongoing development efforts. Test rider Xavi Fores also contributed to the team’s progress by completing additional laps in the wet.
Looking ahead, the team will continue their preparations with a test at Portimao on January 28-29 before officially launching the project in Italy on February 6. A final pre-season test is scheduled for February 17-18, leading directly into the season-opening round at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit in Australia from February 21-23.
Stay tuned for more updates as the Bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team gears up for an exciting 2025 WorldSBK season!
Alex Lowes
“It’s been nice to get back on the bike. I felt better than I expected straight away, even if there were some damp patches still around. After two pitlane exits, we started to go into test mode, as we had some new parts for the fuel tank and riding position. I did get comfortable, so we have confirmed the new tank, seat, and riding position. With the windy conditions, we decided just to use four hours of testing on day one. Every time we work with the new bike, it’s important. There’s still a lot to do, but it was a good day of testing at Jerez.”
Axel Bassani
“We have had two good days of testing, even if we only spent half a day on track each time. Day two was the first time I rode the Bimota in wet conditions, which was important. The first day in the dry was good, although it was difficult because of the strong winds. The base of the bike is not bad. The lap time was not very fast, but also not slow. On the rear, I still don’t have the feeling I want, so we are working to find improvements in that area. Every day is important for understanding what we need to improve. The team now has some good data for the next test in Portimao.”
Max Vohland
"I am beyond thrilled to get on a new bike, especially with Monster Energy®/Pro Circuit/Kawasaki. The power behind these machines are incredible and I am looking forward to my future with the team."
Mark Gomez
“After entering multiple classes my goal was to just make it on the podium in Huntington. I charged hard and started to fatigue after the motos, but coming home with back to back wins in 2 classes made it all worth the pain. It was a big weekend that made me dig deep to finish through, but I did it because riding my Kawasaki SXR 160 is my absolute favorite thing to do.”
“ Krystian Janik
I finished last year out really strong with Championships in Schoolboy 2, and 250B at Mini O's, so I'm really aiming to carry that success into 2023. I've spent the last few months working on improving the areas where I felt I could be better and I've made a solid amount of progress. Looking to RCSX, my goal is to go out there and execute what I've been working on at the practice track because I know if I do that then I'll be finishing at the front.
“Carson Wood
I look forward to these first few spring races every year, it's so exciting to come out and show everyone all the hard work that we put in during the winter time. I'm really excited to be with Kawasaki Team Green this year. I joined the team in November last year and after only two weeks on the Kawasaki KX™85, I won a few championships and two Olympiad awards at Mini O's so that was really encouraging. Now that I've had a few more months of training and testing on the bike, I'm super optimistic about what we can achieve this year and a strong showing at the RCSX will give us a chance to start the year on top.
Snodgrass Prepares for Title Defense
After 12 rounds of action-packed off-road racing, Babbitt’s Online/Monster Energy®/Kawasaki Team Green’s Lyndon Snodgrass secured the 2022 Grand National Cross Country (GNCC) XC2 250 Pro Class Championship. The championship capped an incredible year of racing for Snodgrass who entered the 2022 season with a career-best third-place finish in the GNCC Championship. Building on his success from the previous year, Snodgrass went on to claim his first GNCC victory at Round 4, with additional wins coming at Rounds 6 and 12.
The 2022 GNCC XC2 250 Pro Class title marked the inaugural GNCC championship for the Babbitt’s Online/Monster Energy®/Kawasaki race team and added Snodgrass’ name to the growing list of Aussies who have found success in GNCC racing. The No. 178 KX™250X rider has had his sights on the championship trophy ever since and looks to carry his momentum into Round 1 at Big Buck on February 18th.
“Lyndon Snodgrass
I’m stoked to see my teammates kick off the 2023 racing season with wins in two very competitive enduro races. Watching them succeed has me extra motivated to start my XC2 GNCC title defense this weekend. The Babbitt's Online/Monster Energy®/Kawasaki Team Green™ squad has a proven record of success in GNCC racing and I feel more prepared than ever to continue Kawasaki's winning legacy in 2023.
“
Grant Baylor
"Things have been going really well since joining the Babbitt's Online/Monster Energy/Kawasaki Team Green crew. We've had a good season of preparation through the winter and feel ready to compete at the front of the pack. I've had a quick adjustment to the Kawasaki KX450X and I'm looking forward to going racing in just a couple weeks."
“
Robby Bell, Team Manager
"I'm really looking forward to the upcoming season. Zach has been back on the bike for a few months and he's looking fast and fit. It'll be so great to have the No.100 back under the tent. And after a very successful season in 2022, I'm quite excited to see what Tyler will be capable of this year. Our guys are armed with the 2023 Kawasaki KX450X, which has proven to be an incredibly competitive platform in the pro class. That foundation, along with all of the amazingly supportive companies that are backing our effort have me feeling confident we'll make 2023 a truly rewarding campaign."
“
Guim Roda, KRT Team Manager
“2016 was a very succesful year for us. We achieved all the objectives within our reach. Our riders Jonathan Rea and Tom Sykes topped the first two positions in the overall classification and Kawasaki obtained the Manufacturers’ title for the second consecutive year in the World Superbike Championship. Still, after that nearly perfect season, we were straight back to work to challenge again in 2017.
Question
Robby Bell's primary focus in 2023 will be managing the Chaparral Motorsports/Precision Concepts/Kawasaki racing effort and helping the riders achieve their very best throughout the racing season. Never one to shy away from a challenge, Bell will also compete in the Pro Class at most WORCS and NGPC rounds to dice it up and have some fun in what can be a very stacked class, with many former Pro Class winners participating.
Notable Achievements:
• 3-time WORCS champion
• 3-time SCORE champion
• 3-time Baja 1000 winner
• 3-time Lake Elsinore GP winner
• 4-time Best in the Desert champion
• 2012 NGPC (then WCGP) champion
“
Jonathan Rea
“It was such an incredible journey that 2020 season. My gratitude to WorldSBK, Dorna, all the circuits and organizers to even get racing through the year. In the middle of what everyone had experienced in 2020, sport always comes second – but we managed to race. I missed the fans in attendance and all my traveling support from back home in Northern Ireland; I wish they could have been there but we were happy to be racing nonetheless. That championship was for all of them and my Kawasaki Racing Team, for continuing to push forward. We started behind, like the year prior but never gave up. It was a hell of a journey and something to truly be proud of for all of us."
Robby Bell
#32
Robby's primary focus will be managing the effort and helping the riders achieve their very best in 2023. But he'll also get out in the vet pro class at most WORCS and NGPC rounds to dice it up and have some fun in what can be a very stacked class, with many former pro-class winners participating. Notable Achievements:
• 3-time WORCS champion
• 3-time SCORE champion
• 3-time Baja 1000 winner
• 3-time Lake Elsinore GP winner
• 4-time Best in the Desert champion
• 2012 NGPC (then WCGP) champion
“
Jonathan Rea
"It has been an incredible partnership, we have enjoyed so much success together that it is almost a natural progression to continue our agreement for the years ahead. I am looking forward to continue making memories and representing an incredible manufacturer and brand. My team is my racing family. I love everyone inside the team like my own family and relationships like that count for a lot in racing. Huge credit goes to every single person in the staff, from Provec Racing, all the engineers in Japan, and everyone in the Kawasaki family."
“
Jo Shimoda
"It is an honor to be selected for Team Japan and represent the Japanese people at the Motocross of Nations (MXoN) race. I earned my first overall win at Red Bud earlier this year so I hope I can have similar success against the other MX2 competitors and make everyone back home proud."
‟
“Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit. Aenean commodo ligula eget dolor. Aenean massa. Cum sociis natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient montes, nascetur ridiculus mus. Donec quam felis, ultricies nec, pellentesque eu, pretium quis, sem. Nulla consequat massa quis enim. Donec pede justo, fringilla vel, aliquet nec, vulputate”
FullName
Description for the name
