Lorenzo Baldassarri will step up to WorldSBK in 2023 with three-time FIM Endurance World Champions and FIM Supersport World Championship front-runners GMT94 Yamaha.

Having spent the last five seasons running the race winning Yamaha R6 in the intermediate class with Yamaha support, the GMT94 Yamaha team will now take on the premier category for the first time since 2009 on a works-supported R1.

“I’m very happy, because I started this project with Yamaha in WorldSSP from Moto2, and my goal was always to be in WorldSBK,” said Baldassarri.

“This year, we’ve had a very good season, we have grown together and I’m always improving. I’m ready for this step into the WorldSBK championship with Yamaha and the GMT94 Yamaha WorldSBK Team, so thanks to them for giving me this opportunity; I can’t wait to start this new challenge.”