Triumph signs VR46 Academy-backed Stefano Manzi from Moto2 for 2022 WorldSSP
VR46-backed Moto2 exile Stefano Manzi becomes latest rider to make switch to WorldSSP for 2022 as he joins the returning Dynavolt Triumph team
Triumph has completed its rider line-up for the 2022 WorldSSP Championship season with the signing of Stefano Manzi from the Moto2 World Championship.
In the week the British manufacturer formally confirmed it will return to international competition after a ten-year hiatus with an entry into the reorganised WorldSSP Championship, it revealed Manzi will join Hannes Soomer on one of its Triumph STR765 entries.
Manzi is just the latest rider to defect to WorldSSP from Moto2, where he has competed since 2017 having made his GP debut in Moto3 two years earlier.
He joins Lorenzo Baldassarri (Evan Bros Yamaha) and Nicolo Bulega (Aruba Ducati) in making the switch for 2022 and comes after Andrea Locatelli and Dominique Aegerter swept to the respective 2020 and 2021 WorldSSP titles during their first season in the intermediate series.
With a best finish of fourth place achieved in 2019 on the MV Agusta in Valencia, Manzi will also be bringing with him support from Valentino Rossi’s VR46 Rider Academy as it branches out beyond the GP paddock for the first time.
“I am really happy to be part of this Team and part of the project to bring Triumph back to the World Championship,” Manzi said. “Now I am focused on my winter training to be 100% ready for the beginning of the season. I cannot wait to be back on track and on my new bike.”
“The whole VR46 Riders Academy is beyond pleased with the agreement reached with the Dynavolt Triumph team,” added Alessio Salucci. “It’s a great chance for Stefano to be part of this project supported by such a highly experienced manufacturer as Triumph. World Supersport is a very competitive category and I am sure that he’ll be able to make a great job together with his new team.”
Triumph will compete with an adapted version of the 765cc triple-cylinder engined Street Triple RS 765 naked, fitted with fairings from the discontinued Daytona.
It is one of three new motorcycles primed to take on the stalwart Yamaha R6 and Kawasaki ZX-6R, together with the MV Agusta F3 800 and the Ducati Panigale V2.
