Manzi's Thrilling Comeback Bid: The Race for the WorldSSP Title Heats Up

In a captivating turn of events, Stefano Manzi (Pata Prometeon Ten Kate Racing) has emerged as the sole title contender to Adrian Huertas (Aruba.it Racing WorldSSP Team) in the FIM Supersport World Championship. Following his Race 2 victory at the Circuito Estoril, Manzi has kept his championship hopes alive, setting the stage for a thrilling finale at Jerez.

A Relentless Pursuit: Manzi's Unwavering Determination

Overcoming Adversity: Manzi's Podium Finish in Race 1

Despite the challenging conditions during the Tissot Superpole session, where a mid-session downpour curtailed any chance of riders improving their times, Manzi managed to secure a third-place starting position. In Race 1, the #62 rider crossed the finish line in third place, adding to his podium tally for the season. Though he finished five seconds behind race winner Yari Montella (Barni Spark Racing Team) and four seconds adrift of championship leader Huertas, Manzi's consistent performance kept him in the hunt for the title.

A Dramatic Turnaround: Manzi's Race 2 Victory

In Sunday's Race 2, Manzi found himself running in second position behind Montella, with Huertas in close pursuit. However, the race took a dramatic turn when Montella crashed out at Turn 7, ending his title hopes and promoting Manzi into the lead. Although Huertas briefly closed the gap to the Yamaha rider, Manzi was able to extend his advantage and claim his third victory of the season, keeping his title aspirations alive heading into the final round at Jerez.

Manzi's Perspective: Reflecting on the Race 2 Win

Discussing his Race 2 triumph, Manzi expressed his satisfaction with the team's efforts. "Race 2 was super good, especially after Saturday which was a bit disappointing. We made quite a big step in Sunday's Warm Up session, so I already felt really good with the bike. I thought something could happen in the race already in the morning." Manzi's confidence was justified as he seized the opportunity when Montella's crash opened the door for him to take the lead. "When I saw that I had 1.5 seconds over Huertas, and saw the gap was going up a bit. In the end, it was super and quite happy to keep the Championship alive until the last round."

The Title Fight Intensifies: Jerez Showdown

Heading into the final round at Jerez, Huertas maintains a 45-point lead over Manzi, meaning the Spanish rider will be crowned champion if he scores five points over the weekend. However, Manzi remains determined to mount a remarkable comeback, acknowledging the slim chances but vowing to give it his all. "I'll just try to have the best weekend possible, as I said at Cremona to do the last three rounds like this. I'm not close but it's still alive. We'll try to have a weekend like this one, the best as possible."The stage is set for a thrilling title decider at Jerez, where Manzi will need to win both races and hope Huertas scores fewer than four points to pull off an unlikely championship triumph. Fans and enthusiasts alike eagerly await the conclusion of this captivating battle for the FIM Supersport World Championship crown.