Yari Montella joins Puccetti Kawasaki for 2022 WorldSSP season

Yari Montella will make the switch from Moto2 to WorldSSP next year after agreeing to a one-year deal with Puccetti Kawasaki. 

Montella has endured a disappointing first season in Grand Prix racing - no points finishes from any of his seven rounds completed, however, that fails to tell the whole story in what’s been a messy year for the 21 year-old...

While the Italian has been affected by a right wrist injury and therefore missed some races as a result, his +EGO Speed Up Boscoscuro team elected to bring in Spanish hotshot Fermin Aldeguer to replace him, even though the Italian was passed fit to ride.

2021 was the first year of an agreed three-year deal that Montella and Speed Up signed before the season, but the team has elected to cancel the remaining two years and instead sign Aldeguer on a full time basis. 

Montella will now replace WorldSBK bound Philipp Oettl and slot in alongside former Moto3 rider Can Oncu at Puccetti Racing. 

"I’m really pleased to become part of a competitive team like Kawasaki Puccetti Racing, a squad that has a winning history and that will allow me to be immediately competitive," added Montella. 

"I’ll do all I can to make the most of this great opportunity I’ve been offered, and for which I have to thank Manuel Puccetti, my family and all my sponsors. 

"I can’t wait to get on the ZX-6R and start work with my new team."

Montella’s bizarre Moto2 situation has already led him to race elsewhere, as he made his WorldSSP debut with GMT94 Yamaha at last month’s round 11 at Portimao.

"We’re pleased to welcome Yari Montella to the team and have signed a one-year contract that will see him race in WorldSSP," said Team Owner, Manuel Puccetti. 

"I’ve been following him since he won the Italian title in 2014 with a Kawasaki and I’m sure he’s one of the hottest talents in motorcycling right now. 

"It will be our job to help him grow and express his full potential, as we’ve done with many young riders in the past. 

"His experience in Moto2, in both the CEV and the world championship, will be useful as he tackles the Supersport category. 

"I also take the opportunity to wish Philipp Oettl the very best of luck. We’ve shared two very important seasons, in which we scored eleven podiums and a pole position. We wish him all the best in his future career."