The news we anticipated on 12 December is now confirmed. VR46 Academy rider Stefano Manzi will officially debut in the 2022 Supersport World Championship with Simon Buckmaster’s PTR team, alongside Hannes Soomer.

Manzi himself, and then team PTR, confirmed the agreement and the British team’s participation in the new-look Supersport with a press release on social media. Manzi already knows the engine of his new steed of course, having ridden with the English three-cylinder for the last two seasons in Moto2.

And it marks a return for team PTR after a year’s absence (PTR Honda last competed in Supersport in 2020). Last year it competed in the British Supersport category, which has already moved over to the new regulations, with maximum engine sizes now set at 800 cc for the three-cylinders.

In the words of Stefano Manzi and Simon Buckmaster

The 22-year old Italian had this to say: “I’m pleased to be part of this team and this project, which marks the return of Triumph to the championship. I’m fully focused on my training this winter so that I’m 100% ready for the new season. I can’t wait to be back on track with my new bike".

The team manager also spoke, after having hired Estonian Soomer only yesterday. “We’re really pleased to hire Stefano Manzi from the VR46 Academy to race for team Dynavolt Triumph on our return to World Supersport this year”, he said. “He’s an interesting prospect who has demonstrated a good level of performance in Moto2. He scored a top six finish towards the end of last year, so he’s in good shape. He’s completed a couple of WorldSSP wildcards, so he knows the Pirelli tyres and, naturally, he knows the Triumph engine. I won’t say that he’ll surprise people because many already believe he’ll be a good frontrunner and that’s what we want, to fight for race wins and the title. We can’t wait to start testing in March with Stefano, and Hannes too of course”.

Translated by Heather Watson

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