Image: Supplied.

Red Bull GasGas Factory Racing has promoted Mattia Guadagnini to the MXGP category ahead of Sardegna this weekend in preparation for a full season next year.

The 20-year-old hasn’t met expectations in 2022 and sits seventh in the MX2 World Championship following the opening seven rounds, prompting the early step.

“I had great expectations for this season,” he commented. “I prepared very well with the team, but things in the races have gone wrong too many times. I have made mistakes and also had some bad luck! We are not yet halfway through the season, but realistically it is very difficult to achieve the goals that I had set for myself.

“I thought that it would be more logical to look forward and prepare for next season, especially as I have so many rounds to adapt to the MC 450F. I talked about it with De Carli and the team, and perhaps this change will be positive for everyone? I thank the team and management for this opportunity.”

Red Bull GasGas Factory Racing team owner Claudio De Carli added: “Between mistakes and unlucky episodes, Mattia is going through a difficult period. We all know his talent – he can return to doing very well and is still in the top 10 in MX2.

“Mattia always works with great commitment and is a mature, determined, professional and very fast rider. We talked about it, for his interest, and among the various possibilities he himself decided to move to the MXGP category.

“This transition was planned for next season, but we are all convinced that it is a good solution to make the move immediately. In MXGP he will not have to worry about the results. There are 13 rounds to race, in which he can become familiar with the 450 and thus prepare himself as best as possible for 2023.”

Guadagnini will join Jorge Prado in the premier class, while Simon Langenfelder will remain in MX2, where he currently sits third in the standings.

It’s also been announced today that Kay de Wolf of the Nestaan Husqvarna Factory Racing team will miss the Grand Prix of Sardegna after being struck by a motorist whilst cycling. He sustained a clean fracture of one of the metacarpal bones in his hand.