World Superbike: Two riders in contention for Motocorsa seat
Italian rider Bassani's move to Kawasaki, where he will replace Yamaha-bound Jonathan Rea, was finally made official on Friday on the eve of the penultimate round of the season at Portimao. It opens up a coveted seat at one of the most competitive satellite teams on the grid, with Motocorsa boss Lorenzo Mauri confirming he has two candidates in mind to take over from Bassani next year. Ahead of the Portimao weekend, Bassani sits fifth in the overall standings, ahead of works Ducati rider Michael Ruben Rinaldi, highlighting the strength of the one-bike satellite squad's Ducati V4 R package. Mauri told the official World Superbike team that the chances of the two remaining candidates for the seat are "50/50", and although he would not name Baz and Oettl directly, he clarified the neither rider was Italian. Both Baz and Oettl are in need of alternative seats for 2024 having lost their places at the Bonovo BMW and Go Eleven Ducati teams