Mattia Casadei: Struggles in WorldSSP and some memories from his career

After several seasons as one of the top riders in the MotoE World Championship, where he won the title in 2023, Mattia Casadei is now facing a new chapter in his career for the 2026 season.

After contesting half of the 2025 season with the MV Agusta of the Motozoo team, Casadei moved full time to the FIM Supersport World Championship with the D34G Racing Team, on a Ducati. The season is proving more difficult than expected, with various challenges and only two top 10 finishes in the opening rounds (best result: 9th place in Race 2 at Assen), but “MTA” and the squad led by Davide Giugliano are working to climb the standings and get closer to the front.

Palmen in Motorradsport had the opportunity to interview Mattia Casadei and talk about the current season, the past years and more.

Mattia, how is the 2026 season going?

Honestly, it’s not going the way we wanted. Unfortunately, we started badly from the first round in Australia and we still haven’t figured it out. We can’t find the feeling we need to be fast. We’re working on it, but something is missing. Nowadays, if there is anything not 100% fine, it’s hard to fight at the front as we want to. The team is a strong one though, and I think we’ll manage to find the solution and improve.

Are you missing something in particular?

I don’t have the feeling that I am looking for on the bike, and because of that I can’t push as much as I want. That’s why I’m not able to achieve the results we’re aiming for.

What are the main differences between the MV Agusta you rode for half of 2025, and the Ducati you have this year?

They are very different from each other, starting from the completely different torque characteristics between the three-cylinder MV and the twin-cylinder Ducati engines. On the other bike, I immediately felt comfortable as soon as I got on it, while on this one I’m struggling a bit more. I feel there is a lot of potential, but we can’t fully unlock it or adjust the bike so it suits my riding style.

Your move to World Supersport comes after several great seasons in MotoE, and you raced one year in the Moto2 European Championship and half a season in WorldSSP as well. What can you share about those years?

In the last years I raced in MotoE, I was always competitive, to the point that in the first year with Ducati as manufacturer, I immediately won the championship. Also in the following two years I was fast and there I lost the championship only at the final race and by just a few points. I was one of the strongest riders in the category.

I also raced in the Moto2 European Championship in 2024 and I performed very well there too, finishing second in the championship (one victory, three additional podium finishes, no DNFs and sixth place as worst result, ed). Finally, I did half a season in WorldSSP, as mentioned earlier, and there I achieved a couple of pole positions and good results. I’m coming from good years, for sure, and I expect to get back to where I belong now as well.

What happens on the mind of a rider who, after so many positive seasons, finds himself in this difficult situation?

I only think about finding a solution. I know these are not my positions, I know this is not what I expect from myself, but right now I can’t get out of it. When it goes like this, you can just keep your head down and work. Persistence pays off and, honestly, I hope it pays off for me too.

Going back to 2023 and when you became MotoE World Champion, How did it feel?

It’s an incredible satisfaction. The best thing is when nobody can criticize you anymore, because you were the strongest rider that year. In other words, you put it there and you’re at the top. During the celebration lap, I found all my closest people waiting for me and it was beautiful to celebrate a dream coming true with them.

What did you feel in that moment?

Happiness and clear mind. When your mind gets rid of all the tension, it’s wonderful.

At this point in your career, what's your goal for the coming seasons?

I want to reach the top in World Supersport and then move to the WorldSBK.

Do you still have a small door open towards Grand Prix racing?

No. I wouldn’t even go back to the Moto2 European Championship: it’s too expensive and it very rarely leads to a place in the world championship. Let's not forget that the rider who won the championship when I raced there (Roberto García, ed) ultimately had to stay there. To reach the world championship, other things are needed.

Would you like to thank anyone in particular for what you’ve experienced so far?

First of all, my parents and my family in general, who are always by my side, and the people who made all this possible. Besides my family, I also have friends and sponsors, and they gave me huge support. I’m very grateful to all the people I’ve worked and collaborated with. I don’t regret anything from my past and I only look at the future and try further improve myself.

In the past you also raced in the Italian CIV and in the Moto3 Junior World Championship, alongside riders who later made it to the MotoGP paddock. Do you ever think about that?

Unfortunately, racing careers can take different directions and it’s not easy. I know what I’m worth, but sometimes you make choices, or you are forced to make choices, that don’t take you where you would like to go. Still, you have to do the best you can with what you are given. I tried to do that. In fact, I don’t look at what I could have done, but only at the facts and at where I want to get to.

How was 2017 in the Moto3 Junior World Championship, your last season on a Moto3 machine?

It was quite a difficult year, but it helped me a lot in terms of experience. It was my first year in that championship, whose level is very high, and I struggled a bit. That bike (Honda, ed) didn’t suit much my riding style, or maybe we couldn’t find the right solution. Therefore, at the end of the year, I decided to change category and together with Paolo Simoncelli, who has always helped me and whom I always thank, we found another solution (Italian CIV Supersport with the GAS Racing Team, ed).

What can you say about Paolo Simoncelli?

He is still a great supporter of mine and I’m very happy with the relationship I have with him, and with everything he allowed me to do. He’s very much a “carrot-and-stick" person, sometimes tough, but he did everything he did caring deeply about me and wanting to help me grow. He’s a great person and I care a lot about him and his whole family.

Palmen in Motorradsport thanks Mattia Casadei for his availability and Davide Giugliano of the D34G Racing team for making the interview possible. Best wishes to both rider and team for the upcoming races and seasons.