The 2025 season didn’t go according to plan for young Italian talent, Nicky Mannini. He sadly picked up an injury preparing for the season and ended up out for five months meaning he missed most of the season. Mannini was dubbed for big things when he was on an 85cc but so far injury has hindered his progress in the EMX125 class.
When he did make his return to racing it didn’t take him long to run at the front and at the final round of the EMX125 series he was superb finishing fifth overall.
For the 2025 season, Mannini has signed with the TM Moto CRD Motorsport team and he’ll hope to be a consistent front runner. We decided to catch up with him to get his thoughts on the move to TM and more…
GateDrop: Nicky, let’s look back at 2024, you got injured before the start of the season. Just how tough was that to deal with?
Mannini: Yes, I got injured at the beginning of 2024 and the come back was really hard and complicated, it was supposed to be something more or less “short” but after all I was out for five months in the end.
GateDrop: You made your EMX125 return in Sweden and already showed good pace finishing fifth in the second race. Did you expect to be that fast on your return – you must have been happy with that?
Mannini: I went to Sweden without any expectations because I had no references compared to other riders until that race and also not much training so it was incredible to get that performance.
GateDrop: After that you raced Arnhem, a rough sand track. After being injured so long, how did you feel in the deep sand? That track is rough!
Mannini: In the summer I spent two weeks in Belgium to improve on the sand because we don’t have it in Italy. In Arnhem it wasn’t easy because I had never contested an EMX125 race on sand but we brought home a top ten in race two.
GateDrop: At the final round in Cozar you were fantastic and finished fifth overall. After a tough start to the season, it must have been nice to finish on a high? What was your thoughts on the Cozar track – a lot of riders didn’t hide the fact they disliked it and maybe it wasn’t World Championship standard?
Mannini: Cozar was fantastic for me. In race one, I was third for almost the entire race and it was nice, honestly with my injury and all the time I had out I didn’t expect to come back so well. I was able to stay at the front. The track in Spain in my opinion isn’t at World Championship standards but for an EMX125 it wasn’t that bad.
GateDrop: For the 2025 season, you’ve signed a deal with the TM Moto CRD Motorsport team. How did the deal come about and how does it feel to become a factory rider with an Italian brand?
Mannini: Massimiliano Costantini who is the racing department manager of TM Moto contacted me after the Spanish GP and that was how it came around. Certainly being an official rider of an Italian motorcycle brand makes me happy and proud to be able to wear their colors.
GateDrop: I imagine you probably tested the bike before you agreed a deal with the team, what were your thoughts after the first ride with the TM?
Mannini: Yes, I tried the bike before signing and I really liked the bike, especially the chassis which gave me a lot more feeling and confidence.
GateDrop: You’ve been putting plenty of laps in to prepare for the 2025 season. What’s your thoughts on the bike now and have you made any changes since the first ride and if so what?
Mannini: There actually haven’t been many changes since I started preparing because I feel good with the bike. We always try to have a good setting with the suspension so I can more feeling.
GateDrop: What are your goals for the 2025 EMX125 championship?
Mannini: My goal for the 2025 season is to stay at the front, have good and consistent races.
GateDrop: What are your plans between now and the EMX125 opening round?
Mannini: I will do two (Internazionali d’Italia) pre season races before the start of the EMX125 season. These races are in Mantova and Montevarchi.
GateDrop: You’ve signed a two year deal with the CRD Motorsport TM team, that must make you comfortable for the future as you already know you’ll be racing the EMX250 class for them in 2026 – you must be looking forward to that!
Mannini: Yes, I’m excited about this and I hope to bring the TM up the ranks. Thanks to them that I’m here.