Niki Tuuli will have company at MV Agusta next season as Bahattin Sofuoglu steps up from WorldSSP300 to the new-look Supersport class.

The MV Agusta Reparto Corse outfit will field two F3 800 machines for 2022 as the FIM Supersport World Championship sees a shake up in rules with the Finnish rider returning for his second season aboard the Italian marque.

Sofuoglu, the nephew of five-time World Supersport Champion Kenan, brings the famous name back to the intermediate category after two full seasons and four previous wildcard rides in the 300 class, with the Turkish rider completing a successful test alongside his new teammate at Jerez as 2021 drew to a close.

"I feel proud of myself to have concluded my experience in the WorldSSP300,” Sofuoglu confirmed. “I had a great time and I learned a lot. Moving forward, I'm super excited to compete in the European Supersport Championship, especially having been given the privilege to be a part of this project with MV Agusta Reparto Corse.

“In this period, we are working and testing in preparation for my future with the team. I would like to thank the team principal Andrea Quadranti and my mentor Kenan for believing in me and giving me this opportunity. I am determined to do the best I can. Looking forward to a very successful future with MV Agusta.”

“It’s great that MV found trust in me,” Tuuli added. “It’s easy to continue with the familiar brand, and the new bike makes the job even more interesting. The first tests we did felt really good. The new engine will give you what you need for optimising riding. You don't need to push with such a limit in every opening and bend. The engine has more power with low rpm, which makes it easier to ride the bike. It will allow me to use potentially tighter lines and hope it makes it easier to overtake. Various parts were also tested, and I think we can definitely build a really good and competitive package for next year. Now let's wait for the last rules for these new bikes.”