Before flying to Portimão for the second round of the Superbike World Championship, Stefano Manzi stopped by the Yamaha Lab in Gerno di Lesmo (MB) to attend Racing Day 2026, the event organized by Yamaha to present its plans for the season in the national championships. It was a perfect opportunity to hear from the rider from Romagna about how he’s experiencing his first steps in the premier class of production-based racing and how his recovery is progressing from the injury he sustained in a crash during testing at Phillip Island.
“I’m fine, but unfortunately I’m not yet 100% physically, because I had an ankle injury,” he replied promptly to our well-wishes. “I’m recovering and I’d like to speed things up, but I can’t, because the healing time for the bone is what it is. So, I have to wait and put up with a little pain. Fortunately, though, I can do everything except for extreme activities: I can ride my bike, including the track bike, and I can train on a stationary bike. Not stopping completely has been important during this part of the season, but it does limit me a bit because we’re still not at 100%.”
How much has this injury affected you?
“Not too much, but when you’re racing where everything has to be down to the millisecond, you also have to be 100%. So, this has certainly subconsciously affected my performance a bit. But, unfortunately, it’s been a bit of a difficult weekend for me. I wasn’t very competitive, and I’m looking for some mileage on the bike that we just can’t get: in the tests two weeks ago we weren’t able to get any laps in, we didn’t get many laps in this winter, and right now I think that’s what I’m missing the most.”
The rain certainly didn’t help those like you who were discovering a new reality.
“Yes, I started off very well last year in the first tests at the end of the season, where I was fast and managed to get in a lot of laps, but I haven’t been able to maintain that consistency in terms of both mileage and speed during winter testing. Unfortunately, over six days we only managed a total of 20 laps in dry conditions. It was difficult and continues to make things difficult, because closing that gap compared to riders with more experience is even harder. We’re giving it our all, though, and we hope that in a couple of weekends we’ll be able to become a bit more competitive.”
So how is this learning curve going on the R1? What are you still missing, and how much room for improvement do you think you have?
“I’m struggling right now to make an estimate or predict a result. The only thing I’d like is to get back to 100% physical fitness as soon as possible, feel good with this foot, and then start racking up the miles again. It’s a bit hard for me to answer, but I think it’s a combination of factors, both in terms of mileage and physical well-being. Then you have to build that connection that hasn’t quite clicked yet.”
How are you settling in with the bike, the class, and the team, given that this is your first year with the GRT team?
“I’ve felt comfortable with the team ever since last year’s test. As for the bike and the class, I’ve ridden so little that it feels like I haven’t even started yet. So, I’m having a bit of a hard time saying whether I’m comfortable or not, but we’re definitely working on building a good relationship of trust with the bike.”
Is this the environment you expected?
“Yes, definitely. The races are at the same circuits where I used to race in Supersport. The weekend is a bit different because, with three races and more sessions, it’s more exciting and more challenging. The difficulty increases, but I like it. So, for now, I’m happy with everything.”
How did you feel lining up on the grid for the first race?
“Unfortunately, it wasn’t great, because I was starting from the back and I wasn’t used to it anymore. I’ve never been one for big pole positions, but in Supersport I was always in the first two or three rows, for better or worse, and starting back there wasn’t a great feeling. Then, with the pain in my foot and a few other things that weren’t right, it wasn’t easy. I’m not talking about this weekend in Portimao, but if I can improve on that in the coming races, I’d be happy.”
It was a tough start for the whole Yamaha team, which struggled a bit more than expected in Australia. Do you think the balance of power will shift starting with this round?
“I don’t know: I have too little experience overall and I’ve done too few miles this winter to be able to say anything more concrete.”
I imagine it was still a source of pride for you to be on the grid with the manufacturer with whom you signed your sporting comeback in the production-based classes.
“Yes, I’m happy with this move, but for me, a source of pride is putting in good races, which I haven’t done in Australia yet. When I start putting in good races, that’s when I’ll be proud to wear these colors.”
You arrived here after everything you went through with the Ten Kate team, but Yamaha wasn’t your only option; we know the Go Eleven team was also interested in bringing you to Superbike. Was there a moment when, seeing Baldassarri on the podium, you maybe thought you could have been there in his place?
“No, because with Yamaha we’ve been on this journey for several years now: I’m in my fifth year with them following last year’s contract renewal. I joined Yamaha at a very difficult time in my career; we’ve achieved a lot together, and I think we’ll achieve even more in the future. It’s a tough moment, but one race isn’t going to derail everything or make me say, ‘Maybe it would have been better if I’d gone somewhere else.’”
In the end, it’s just a matter of time.
“I hope so, but I can’t know for sure. I definitely know that Yamaha is working hard, and I’m focusing first on getting back in shape physically and then on regaining speed on the bike, which is what I’m lacking a bit right now. Then, we’ll see.”
Even though you said you still have little experience with the R1, do you think a new model is needed, or do you believe this bike still has something to offer?
“I can think of many things, some of which I probably can’t even say. That’s not in my hands. Right now, I’m trying to make the best of what I have, looking toward a better future—always with Yamaha. But I can’t say whether they’ll bring a new bike or not, because I really don’t know. It doesn’t concern me and isn’t part of my job. I can only try to be as competitive as possible.”
But would you like to race with a Yamaha V4 someday?
“Why not?! As long as I’m riding a bike that wins, I’m happy: whether it’s a V4, V6, or V8, it’s all the same to me. In the end, what matters to us is winning and bringing home the result.”
Speaking of the V4, what did you think of Razgatlioglu in his first few MotoGP races?
“Obviously, it’s a bit of a difficult situation for them to comment on as well, because they’re struggling a bit, just like us. From their perspective, though, it’s a new project, and it’s hard to start over with the V4 after so many years with the inline-four engine. However, if Yamaha has gone in this direction, it’s because they see a future in it and want to continue developing the bikes with the V4. So who knows, maybe, as you said earlier, it’ll even make its way to the production-derived bike.”
Have you been surprised by what Toprak has done so far? Did you expect it? Did you expect better?
“I won’t comment on the result because it’s extremely difficult to comment from the outside. It’s easy for everyone else, but I know what it feels like from the inside, so I’ll refrain from commenting on the racing result. However, I think he’s embarked on a path that’s more difficult for him this year compared to next year, when there will be a change in regulations, with Pirelli tyres and bikes with less aerodynamics and more similar to Superbikes. So, if he can grit his teeth and hang in there this year, I think he’ll be able to do better next year.”
His move from SBK to MotoGP might even open doors for other riders in the future.
“Of course. I’d love for Toprak to get fast, or at least for riders to move from Superbike to MotoGP because it can really open doors for others and maybe even for me, since it’s always been my dream to race in MotoGP. I made it to Moto2 and then moved to Supersport, so I’ve never even tried a MotoGP bike. I’m racing in Superbike now, and who knows: maybe one day I’ll even get the chance for a single test. I’d love to try a MotoGP bike.”