Stefano Manzi is increasingly oriented towards a 2026 in Superbike. Last week's test with the R1 at Misano is in fact yet another demonstration, as Yamaha wanted to offer the Romagna rider the opportunity to grind out his first kilometers with the bike to understand its sensations.
It is a fact that this will be the last season in Supersport for Manzi before he makes the big leap. Yamaha for its part has in fact a pre-option to be exercised by the summer and we are of the idea that the Japanese manufacturer won't let the opportunity slip away.
Barring any sensational surprises, Yamaha will in fact put him into the GRT team, thus entering him on the R1 of the team run by Filippo Conti with Pierpaolo Franceschini as communications manager. Manzi's is a profile that is liked in the paddock to such an extent that Go Eleven's Ducati could become a valid alternative.
At the moment, however, it seems very difficult for them to go down this road: in fact, the path leading to GRT with a direct contract signed with the manufacturer is an easier route.