It has been a frustrating and challenging season for Nicky Mannini. After signing with the Maddii Honda team ahead of the 2026 campaign, the promising Italian found himself without a ride before the season had even begun after the two parties decided to part ways.
Since then, Mannini has been making the most of a difficult situation, competing in the Italian Championship and selected EMX250 rounds with a stock Triumph. Despite the setbacks, the young Italian remains determined to prove his potential and secure a full-time return to the European Championship.
Reflecting on how things unfolded with Maddii Honda, Mannini believes leaving the team was ultimately the right decision, even if it meant he couldn’t start the EMX250 series.
“Unfortunately things didn’t work out in my case with Maddii Honda so I made my decision and, today I know that it was the right thing for me. My goal isn’t only to race at National Championship level, anyone would understand that it isn’t like that. My goal is to race the European Championship and I think I have shown that I can ride at the front”, Mannini told GateDrop.com.
Without factory machinery or a full-time programme, Mannini has been working tirelessly to remain competitive whenever opportunities arise, while acknowledging the challenge of taking on riders who are competing in the GP paddock most weekends.
“Now I’m racing with a stock Triumph with an Akrapovič exhaust. I’m working hard every day but I understand that it’s not easy to do selected races at this very high level compared to those who participate every weekend”.
The transition to the 250 class has also come with its own learning curve, but Mannini believes his performance at Montevarchi securing ninth overall in the EMX250 class showed what he is capable of despite everything that has happened this year.
“It’s my first year in the 250cc class and so far it’s been very troubled due to various situations where there have been some tough moments. Nothing physically or any thing like but other issues a bit out of my control. The race at Montevarchi made me happy, it was a weekend where I was always in the top 10 fighting with the other riders. This top ten overall is worth a lot to me because I know well the problems I had and this helps to compensate them”.
For the remainder of the season, Mannini admits his options are limited unless he can secure the support of a team contesting the EMX250 Championship.
“My plans for the rest of the season are nothing from the European point of view which is my goal, so we’ll see what happens. I need a team to compete in the series”.
Looking ahead to 2027, Mannini’s focus is clear. He wants to earn another opportunity in the EMX250 Championship and hopes teams will remember the performances that saw him emerge as one of the leading riders in the EMX125 class just a year ago on the TM.
“I’m putting my all into finding a good team to race the EMX250 series next year. I am especially looking at last year’s results in the EMX125 class because this year I don’t have the chance to race where I want due to various problems. Last year I had the red plate and made four podiums in the EMX125 class. I want to go back to racing in the GP paddock”, Mannini concluded.
While 2026 has been far from the season Mannini envisioned, his determination remains unchanged. With a strong performance in Montevarchi and a clear desire to return to full-time European competition, the talented Italian will be hoping a team gives him the chance to showcase his potential once again in 2027 – if not before.
