The FIM Supersport World Championship concluded the weekend with a surprising Race 2 at Circuito do Estoril, Portugal. In ideal weather conditions for the 18-lap race, Yari Montella (Barni Spark Racing Team) dominated from the start, taking the lead into the first corner ahead of title contender Stefano Manzi (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing) and Lucas Mahias (GMT94 Yamaha). Championship leader Adrian Huertas (Aruba.it Racing WorldSSP Team) had a poor start, dropping to fifth place.
On the opening lap, turn four saw a crash involving Thomas Booth-Amos (PTR Triumph) and Australian rider Oliver Bayliss (D34G Racing WorldSSP Team), taking them out of contention. Meanwhile, at the front, the leading group was providing plenty of action for the Portuguese spectators as Montella led Manzi, while Huertas started to regain ground, closing in on Mahias in third place.
As the race unfolded, the tension rose, with Huertas (#99) increasing the pressure on his championship rivals. He climbed into third place and began chasing down Montella, who led on the Ducati. Further back, French riders Valentin Debise and Mahias engaged in a fierce battle for fourth place, exchanging skilled overtakes throughout the four-kilometer track.
Feeling the heat from Manzi, Montella attempted to widen the gap from the chasing group, but a crucial mistake at turn 7 saw the Italian crash out with just eight laps to go, ending his hopes of contending for the 2024 WorldSSP title.
Title battle to be between Huertas and Manzi
With Manzi securing the win and Huertas finishing second, Debise impressed by taking third place. Lucas Mahias finished fourth, followed by Bo Bendsneyder (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) in fifth, with Federico Caricasulo (Motozoo ME AIR Racing) rounding off the top 6. This result marked Yamaha’s fourth win of the season and Ducati’s 99th podium in the WorldSSP class. The title race now comes down to Jerez, where Huertas and Manzi will battle it out for the championship, with 45 points separating them at the top of the standings.
Top six from WorldSSP Race 2:
1. Stefano Manzi (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing)
2. Adrián Huertas (Aruba.it Racing WorldSSP Team) +2.506s
3. Valentin Debise (Evan Bros. WorldSSP Yamaha Team) +4.103
4. Lucas Mahias (GMT94 Yamaha) +4.351s
5. Bo Bendsneyder (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) +7.670s
6. Federico Caricasulo (Motozoo ME AIR Racing) +9.355s
Fastest lap: Stefano Manzi, Yamaha – 1’40.063s
Championship standings:
1. Adrián Huertas (Aruba.it Racing WorldSSP Team) 410 points
2. Stefano Manzi (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing) 365
3. Yari Montella (Barni Spark Racing Team) 354
4. Valentin Debise (Evan Bros. WorldSSP Yamaha Team) 218
5. Marcel Schroetter (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) 204
6. Federico Caricasulo (Motozoo ME AIR Racing) 184