Mirko Giansanti, founder of WorldSBK front-running outfit GRT, has passed away aged 46 following a long battle with illness.

One of an exclusive group of people to have made the successful transition from racing to team ownership, the Italian was a 12-time podium winner in the Grand Prix ranks during the late 90s and early 2000s before launching his eponymous Giansanti Racing Team.

Going on to take GRT to the international stage in 2016 with an appearance in the WorldSSP Championship running MV Agusta machinery for Gino Rea, he’d preside over its title-winning 2018 campaign with Lucas Mahias and Yamaha.

Spurring Giansanti to move his team into the WorldSBK Championship in 2019, GRT has since forged close relations with Yamaha to act as its satellite arm. Its roll-call boasts the likes of Sandro Cortese, Marco Melandri and Garrett Gerloff, not to mention current line-up Dominique Aegerter and Remy Gardner.

“Mirko, we will miss you terribly, but we know you will always be with us,” read a statement from GRT. “We promise you that we will work even harder to fulfil a common dream of taking yours and our creature to the top of the world. Above all, we will always keep your memory alive.”

Andrea Dosoli, Yamaha Motor Europe’s Road Racing manager added: “We are deeply saddened by the passing of Mirko after a long illness. 

“He was a man who said little, preferring instead to lead by example and with this approach, he and the GRT Yamaha Team achieved a lot. 

“Mirko was an integral part of our Yamaha racing family and the WorldSBK paddock will be a lesser place with his passing. Rest in peace, Mirko.”