300 invited guests gathered inside the team’s HQ, which had been transformed for the evening into a ‘pop-up’ cinema experience, complete with BbKRT-themed ticketing and popcorn machines for that authentic cinema vibe.

The documentary, intriguingly titled ‘bimota: Racing Prometheus’, was shown in the privileged reveal to the invited guests, was scheduled for two days later - 5 February - on the bimotabyKRT YouTube channel.

BbKRT’s impactful new colour scheme, graphics packages and rider’s leathers were also introduced on launch night itself.

After a strong first season for the WorldSBK spec bimota KB998 Rimini in the 2025 WorldSBK championship last year, which included four podium finishes for Lowes and both BbKRT riders inside the overall top ten, the mood is optimistic that even greater heights can be achieved in the second year of the project to create yet more recognition of the bimota brand and its growing family of franchised dealers.

Changes in pit-box personnel have been made for the 2026 season, with Uri Pallares now the crew chief for Axel Bassani, while Pere Riba continues in the crew chief role for Alex Lowes.

Alex Lowes, stated: “Normally the winter is very short and busy for us. We use the time to engage as a full team with our sponsors and partners and reveal our new colours for 2026. We have a years’ worth of data now with this new bimota project, this along with some improvements over the offseason mean we can't wait to get to Phillip Island and start racing. We know as always the challenge ahead of us but we are ready. It's time to have fun and see what we can achieve.”

Axel Bassani, stated: “There is no real rest period in WorldSBK and to be honest that is what I prefer as I fuel my ambition to podium on the KB998 Rimini. As an Italian I see it as my duty to give my best to the bimota racing project. BbKRT are making a super strong effort building up to our first race. It’s going to be an epic season so please join us for the ride.”

Kawasaki Racing Team Manager, Guim Roda, stated: “The number one target in 2026 is to maximise the resources bimota and Kawasaki gave us. This means we must first make sure everybody is giving 100%. This needs to be done with motivation and a common target for all the staff, partners and sponsors involved. Target number two is to continue with the good feedback we got in 2025 about the market and potential customers interested in bimota machines and the brand itself. It is fascinating to help create this new branding and introduce new bike to the market that can accomplish the wishes and dreams of many fans around the world.”

Pierluigi Marconi, Chief Operating Officer of bimota, stated: “2025 was the first year of bimota's return to SBK competition after many years of absence, and it was an exciting one in terms of performance and the fact that the team never had a mechanical breakdown. This was only possible because the three entities of bimota, Kawasaki, and Provec really managed to work well together. After the championship was completed, we organised a track test with some journalists, and the test riders were able to appreciate the riding characteristics of the KB998 Rimini in its fully road-going version - and in the race-ready version created by Provec, which is based on the experience gained in the 2025 WorldSBK championship. We worked hard during the winter, and I am convinced that there will be improvements in several areas, including aerodynamics, engine, and chassis. So, we hope for excellent sporting results, even better than 2025! From a production and sales point of view, I hope that the good image we are creating in the SBK world will continue to help sales growth and market penetration.”

Chairman of the board bimota S.p.A and Managing Director of Kawasaki Motors Europe, Shigemi Tanaka, stated: “The creation of BbKRT was a complex process involving many people both in Europe and Japan. It is the result of their passion and dedication that we can all now witness. Tonight is a moment in time where we can reflect on what has already been achieved. We can also look forward with optimism to the future. If the progress made so far is any indication, then we are in for an exciting 2026 and beyond.”