Back in August, we reported the rumour that Italian-based team Racestore KTM are planning to re-enter the MX2 World Championship for the 2027 season. As far as we understand, that plan remains in place, and we can now reveal the two riders we understand will be lining up under the Racestore KTM awning next year.
Andrea Uccellini to make the move up to MX2
Young Italian talent Andrea Uccellini is understood to be making the move up to the MX2 World Championship with Racestore KTM for the 2027 season. Uccellini focused on the EMX125 Championship this year with TM but recently confirmed that he would be leaving the Italian manufacturer at the end of the 2026 season.
We understand that the 16-year-old has agreed a deal with Racestore KTM and will make the jump directly into the MX2 World Championship, bypassing the EMX250 Championship in the process. Uccellini did get a taste of MX2 machinery this year when he made his MX2 World Championship debut at his home Grand Prix in Montevarchi.
The Italian showed plenty of promise in the EMX125 Championship and sat sixth in the standings after the fifth round before an injury brought his season to an early end. The move to MX2 will be a big step for Uccellini, and 2027 is expected to be very much about gaining experience and learning as he continues to develop his potential for the future.
Niccolò Mannini set for another EMX250 opportunity
Racestore KTM is also understood to have secured the services of Niccolò Mannini for the 2027 season, with the Italian set to contest the EMX250 Championship.
This time last year, Mannini was preparing for his rookie EMX250 campaign after signing with Maddii Honda. However, he parted ways with the team before the opening round, leaving his plans for the season up in the air.
Mannini was subsequently picked up by an Italian Triumph team, but the change of circumstances meant that he was unable to contest as many EMX250 races as he would have liked.
For 2027, we believe that Mannini has now agreed a deal with Racestore KTM which should see him back in the paddock on a much more regular basis. The Italian talent will be hoping for a consistent season and the opportunity to remind the paddock of the potential he has shown in the past.
With Racestore KTM preparing to return to the MX2 World Championship, the combination of Uccellini and Mannini would give the Italian outfit an interesting line-up across the MX2 and EMX250 classes.
However, neither rider has been officially confirmed by Racestore KTM at this stage, so we will have to wait for the team’s announcement before the deals can be considered official.
