News

Two rounds remain in the 2025 FIM Supersport World Championship campaign. As the field crosses the Iberian peninsula heading west to Portugal’s Circuito Estoril, there’s a chance that a new Champion could be crowned at the EICMA Estoril Round. Stefano Manzi (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing) stands on the precipice of his first WorldSSP Championship; however, title rival Can Oncu (Yamaha BLU CRU Evan Bros Team) is the last opponent standing between him and glory.

MANZI CLOSES IN: The #62 can clinch the title as soon as Race 1 if he outscores Oncu by 15 points or more

Manzi will ride to Portugal with all eyes on him as his 60-point Championship lead places him high above the rest of the field. A key to his success will be managing his points lead over Oncu, not needing to beat him in each race, but prevent a large drop in points. Manzi will win the title by outscoring Oncu in Race 1 by 15 points or if he loses 10 points or fewer to the #61 across the weekend. However, expect more riders to be in the fight at Estoril. Valentin Debise (Renzi Corse) secured a first race win last time out at Aragon and will head to Portugal full of confidence. Of course, Oncu’s chances of snatching the title this year depend on having as many riders as possible between him and Manzi in the remaining four races.

CLOSE MARGINS FOR THIRD: Booth-Amos clings to the bronze medal position while Masia stalks close behind

Despite a tough run of form as of late, British rider Tom Booth-Amos (PTR Triumph Factory Racing) sits in third, a distant 157 points behind Oncu. He enjoyed a podium at Magny-Cours, but aside from that result, his best result in his last three rounds has been P6, from which he will need to improve to stay above the pack behind him. Fortunately for the #69, Jaume Masia (Orelac Racing VerdNatura), who is in P4, has been in a similar rut. Although he has been more consistent than the Brit, he has struggled to earn the podium paydays of points that Booth-Amos has earned. With just four points separating the pair, it's too close to call, and while Booth-Amos has WorldSSP experience at the track, his P15 and DNF compared to what will be Masia’s first time on the track in WorldSSP last year hardly give much to extrapolate from.

MAHIAS, DEBISE HAVE PERFECT CHANCE TO FIGHT FOR P5: Bendsneyder leaves MV Agusta Reparto Corse by mutual agreement

Booth-Amos and Masia’s recent form woes pale in comparison to those faced by Bo Bendsneyder (MV Agusta Reparto Corse), currently sitting in P5. 41 points behind the Spaniard, he has not completely lost touch with Masia and Booth-Amos. However, Bendsneyder won’t race in the final two rounds, with the Dutchman and the team reaching an agreement to mutually part ways with immediate effect. French pair Lucas Mahias (GMT94-YAMAHA) and Debise have crept into striking range, now only 4 and 14 points behind the Dutch rider, respectively, and now have the perfect opportunity to leapfrog the #11. Mahias had struggles of his own at Aragon; however, Debise is coming into Round 11 hot off his first win.

OETTL LOOKS TO END 2025 ON A HIGH NOTE: Is the German back to his WorldSSP best?

Philipp Oettl (Feel Racing WorldSSP Team) has clawed his way back up to P8 in the Championship standings after a difficult start to his return season, his pair of P5s at Aragon giving him one of his best rounds since his return, and back in 2021, the German earned a double podium at the Portuguese circuit. He will have to hope for this to continue, as rookie Jeremy Alcoba (Kawasaki WorldSSP Team) in P9 and Marcel Schroetter (WRP Racing) in P10 look to make a late run of their own in the penultimate round. The Spanish rider has hit a rocky patch recently as he has dropped down the order back to P9; however, the #52 continues to learn in his maiden season, and he will look to hold off Schroetter behind him as he and his Ducati look to leapfrog the field’s sole Kawasaki rider.

RIDER LINE-UP NEWS: Mahendra aiming for return, Norrodin replaces Azman

Aldi Mahendra (Yamaha BLU CRU Evan Bros Team) is aiming to be back on track for the first time since before the summer break, having missed Magny-Cours and Aragon through injuries sustained in training; he’ll have to pass a medical check on Thursday in order to race. Leonardo Taccini (Ecosantagata Althea Racing Team) also faces a pre-round check after missing the Aragon Round with a foot injury. Andrea Giombini steps in for D34G WorldSSP Racing Team once again, in place of Eduardo Montero (D34G WorldSSP Racing Team), while Muhammad Norrodin (PETRONAS MIE Honda Racing Team) replaces Syarifuddin Azman (PETRONAS MIE Honda Racing Team). In terms of wildcards, Matteo Ferrari is set for his WorldSSP debut with WRP Racing; the Italian won MotoE in its first season and has 13 victories to his name.

Tune in for a weekend of WorldSSP action! Don’t miss a moment with the WorldSBK VideoPass! now just €9.99!