Soomer completes first WorldSSP test with Triumph, Manzi not in action

Hannes Soomer has officially got his and the new Dynavolt Triumph team’s 2022 WorldSSP preparations underway with a two-day Portimao test. 

Formerly with Yamaha, the Estonian rider has since switched to Triumph and its 765 Street Triple machine as the British manufacturer returns to the intermediate class for the first time since 2012. 

Although poor weather affected their opening pre-season test, Soomer called his debut with the team ‘productive’, even though ‘we are not there yet’.  

Soomer added: "It was a productive first test with the new bike, with the new team. The first day was a bit disappointing with the weather, we didn’t get as many laps as we would have wanted.  

"I’m just starting to understand the bike and how it wants to be ridden to go fast and we are not there yet, but we are on the right way. We will continue this same work in the next test."

Soomer has a new team-mate for 2022 after former Moto2 rider Stefano Manzi made the switch away from the Grand Prix paddock. 

Manzi was unable to join Soomer on-track after sustaining ligament damage in his right shoulder during a training accident at the beginning of the month. 

Manzi has since undergone successful surgery, and although he will miss the team’s next test at Aragon, Dynavolt Triumph Team Manager, Simon Buckmaster, has claimed the Italian will be available for a private test in Estoril before the official Dorna-supported test in Aragon (4-5). 

Buckmaster added: "It’s been a good first test with Hannes, his first time on the Dynavolt Triumph 765 Street Triple.  

"The first day we lost a lot of track time with the rain and when it wasn’t raining there were still damp patches but day two was a good dry day and we learned a lot. 

"We finished up the test with quite a different set up to last year’s riders. We tried some different settings to get Hannes comfortable and he’s starting to adapt to the Dynavolt Triumph. 

"The bike ran absolutely flawlessly, no problems and that’s a great job by the boys. Hannes is working very well with the team so we’re all quite pleased.  

"Now we go to Aragon for our second test, still without Stefano Manzi but he will benefit from the last private test at Estoril and the official pre-race test on the Monday and Tuesday before the race at Aragon. Looking forward to the next test."