Official: Baldassarri joins Evan Bros Yamaha for 2022 WorldSSP season

Lorenzo Baldassarri will make his WorldSSP debut in 2022 after agreeing to join Evan Bros Yamaha. 

Baldassarri’s addition to WorldSSP sees him follow Nicolo Bulega and Maximilian Kofler as ex-Grand Prix riders who have switched to the Supersport championship this year, while fellow Italian Stefano Manzi could be next to do so.

After bringing the news of an expected agreement between Baldassarri and Evan Bros Yamaha last week, the Italian-based team now has its full line-up confirmed as Peter Sebestyen retained his seat following a solid 2021 season.

"I’m looking forward to a new challenge in the Supersport World Championship with the Evan Bros Yamaha WorldSSP Supported Team and Yamaha," said Baldassarri. 

"I'm very happy and motivated, so I'll be preparing as best as I can to be ready for the start of the season. 

"I would like to thank the people around me who have given their support, as well as the team, who believe in me and have given me this opportunity. I'm sure I've been included in a very solid project with very professional people. 

"My main goals are to always give my best, adapt to the category as soon as possible and start immediately to fight for the positions that count. I can't wait to get on the bike for the tests and I look forward to the start of the season."

While it’s no surprise to see Baldassarri switch to WorldSSP given his lack of Moto2 results in the last two seasons, the 25 year-old was being touted as a future MotoGP rider as recently as 2019.

Baldassarri started said 2019 season with three wins from four, however, his victory in Jerez proved to be his last in the intermediate class.

What should help Baldassarri rediscover his winning touch is Evan Bros’ stellar Supersport record - most successful team in the last three years. 

The team has produced two champions in Randy Krummenacher and Andrea Locatelli, while Steven Odendaal finished runner-up last season. 

Speaking about his new rider, Team Principal Fabio Evangelista said: "I'm very satisfied to have finally completed the team’s line up. After “saying goodbye” to Steven Odendaal, to whom I'd like to say a special thank you because we fought for the title right up to the penultimate round, and after confirming Peter Sebestyen, who I have great confidence in, we managed to finalise the agreement with Lorenzo. 

“I believe that Lorenzo, together with the whole team, will form a very strong and highly motivated duo. 

“I have only got to know Lorenzo personally over the last few months, and day by day I liked him more and more: I am sure that thanks to the family atmosphere within our team he will be able to show his full potential again. 

"I want to thank Yamaha Motor Europe, who helped us in the success of the operation, and in particular Andrea Dosoli, with whom I have a fantastic relationship over the years."