WSB: Stefano Manzi joins Dynavolt Triumph in the World Supersport Championship

Former Moto2 rider Stefano Manzi has joined Dynavolt Triumph ahead of the 2022 World Supersport Championship season.

Manzi has spent the last five season in the Moto2 class, ending his 2021 campaign 19th overall. During his time in the intermediate class, Manzi rode for Valentino Rossi’s Team VR46 squad, and competed on Kalex, Suter and MV Agusta machinery.

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The Italian took one pole position in Moto2, at Valencia in 2020, whilst his best result was fourth at Valencia in 2019. Manzi also had one full season in Moto3 (2015) onboard a Mahindra.

“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 on my new bike.”

Manzi joins Hannes Soomer at the Dynavolt Triumph team, which is returning to the world stage after piloting the new Supersport rules in the British series last year. The new rules open up the championship to manufacturers with different engine configurations and capacities, as part of a collaboration between MSVR, Dorna and the FIM.

Whilst he’s switching to the World Superbike paddock, Manzi remains a member of the VR46 Academy.

“We’re really pleased to sign Stefano Manzi from the VR46 Academy to ride with the Dynavolt Triumph team in our return to World Supersport this year,” Team Manager Simon Buckmaster said. “He is an exciting prospect with good performance level in his seasons in Moto2. He had a top six finish towards the end of last year so he’s on good form. He did a couple of wild cards in WorldSSP so understands the Pirelli tyres and of course, understands the Triumph engine well.

“I won’t say he is going to surprise a few because a lot of people think he is going to be a good front runner and that is what we want, challenging for race wins and the title. We can’t wait to get started testing in March with Stefano and of course with Hannes.”

Manzi is the latest rider to switch Grand Prix for the WorldSBK paddock. Fellow Moto2 competitors Lorenzo Baldassarri (WorldSSP Evan Bros. Racing Yamaha), Xavi Vierge (Team HRC WorldSBK), Iker Lecuona (Team HRC WorldSBK), and Hafizh Syahrin (MIE Racing Honda WorldSBK) have also made the move this year.

Alongside Triumph’s return, Ducati will also enter the WorldSSP class with its 955cc Ducati Panigale V2 machine. Oli Bayliss, son of three-time WorldSBK champion Troy, will ride for Barni Racing, whilst Nicolò Bulega will ride for the factory Aruba.it Racing squad.