From a press release issued by Team Yamaha Belgarda:

SIMONE SANNA SIGNS FOR YAMAHA BELGARDA

Simone Sanna will contest the 2003 Supersport World Championship with Team Yamaha Belgarda. The Tuscan rider signed a one-year contract, with an option for 2004, at Gerno di Lesmo today.

Sanna will contest the championship with Dutchman Jurgen van den Goorbergh on the new YZF-R6 Yamahas. Both newly-signed Yamaha Belgarda riders will make their race debut in the opening round on 2nd March at Valencia – a week or so after the official WSS tests (also at Valencia).

Simone Sanna was born in Florence on 16th March 1978. After demonstrating his skill in scooter racing, he then showed great talent in the 125 GP class. His first World Championship race in this class was at the Mugello GP in 1997. Since then he has raced four seasons – racking up 65 starts and taking 3 victories. This season will be Sanna’s first ever on a four-stroke, production-based bike.