Bimota rider Axel Bassani (5th): "We have to be honest with ourselves!"

The Ducati riders dominated practice on Friday in Misano. Nicolo Bulega, Iker Lecuona, Yari Montella and Sam Lowes finished in the top four. Bimota rider Axel Bassani was 5th, with his team-mate Alex Lowes in 7th.

Bassani and Lowes were the only non-Ducati riders to make it into the top nine on Friday. "I'm happy with the first day. We were able to continue the work we had already done at the last race weekends. Alex and I are always between all the Ducati," was the conclusion of Bassani, who was 0.768 seconds behind Bulega in the combined timesheet. "It wasn't so easy in the morning because the feeling on the bike was very strange. It behaved nervously, I had a lot of movements in the bike. We then made some changes for the afternoon and things got better. I think we can take another step forward on Saturday."

Axel Bassani has claimed two podiums so far in the 2026 Superbike season - both at the start of the season on Phillip Island. What are the chances of him finishing in the top three again at his home races this weekend? "If you look at the reality of today, it's not possible. Iker and Nicolo have a much better pace than us. Yari was also very fast, he set a 1:33.0 on lap 16 - that was my fastest lap," said the 26-year-old. "But never say never. We are here to give our maximum, but we also have to be honest with ourselves. We have the potential to finish between 4th and 7th."

Bassani has a solid base with his Bimota, which is suitable for a wide range of conditions. "We don't change much, whether it's cold or hot. But this morning it was colder and I had more difficulties. In the afternoon it was hotter and I felt better on the bike. If the temperatures continue to go up this weekend, that could be good for me. But that's how I feel now. I can't say whether it will be the same tomorrow."