Stefano Manzi of Ten Kate Racing Yamaha showcased his skill by emerging victorious in WorldSSP Race 1 held at Imola, marking his second win of the season. This impressive triumph allowed him to close the gap in the championship standings, bringing him 46 points behind current leader Nicolo Bulega of Aruba.it Racing WorldSSP Team. Marcel Schrötter of MV Agusta Reparto Corse secured second place, adding to his collection of five podium finishes this season. Bulega, on the other hand, crossed the finish line in third, achieving his 20th podium in the series and contributing to Ducati’s 50th rostrum.
The battle for fourth place was intense, with Bahattin Sofuoglu of MV Agusta Reparto Corse and Adrian Huertas of MTM Kawasaki engaging in a fierce fight throughout WorldSSP Race 1 at Imola. Sofuoglu initially managed to overtake Huertas on Lap 8, but Huertas fiercely resisted. Niki Tuuli of PTR Triumph joined the contest, eventually surpassing both Sofuoglu and Huertas to claim fourth position. However, on the penultimate lap, Tuuli and Huertas unfortunately collided, abruptly ending their race. Yari Montella secured fifth place, with Raffaele De Rosa following closely behind in sixth.
In an outstanding display of skill and determination, Stefano Manzi dominated Race 1 at Imola, leading the pack for the majority of the race. Despite briefly relinquishing the lead in a few corners on Lap 1, Manzi quickly regained control and showcased his prowess, ultimately securing a highly deserved victory. This remarkable performance not only earned him the top spot on the podium but also allowed him to make significant progress in closing the gap to championship leader Nicolo Bulega in the standings. Manzi’s exceptional race performance demonstrates his unwavering commitment to his championship aspirations.
P1 | Stefano Manzi | Ten Kate Racing Yamaha
“I had a good start from the front row. There was a battle in the first chicane, but I managed to take the lead and maintain it until the end of the race. I’m happy with the result. It was a challenging race with hot conditions, but we handled it well. I’m happy for myself, the team, and Yamaha. Today, I’ve finally created positive memories at Imola. We are doing our best to close the gap to Bulega.”
Marcel Schrötter showcased his remarkable skills in Race 1, delivering an impressive performance that resulted in a well-deserved second-place finish. This outstanding achievement saw him cross the finish line ahead of the championship leader, Nicolo Bulega. Schrötter’s strong performance not only highlights his exceptional racing abilities but also adds to the excitement and competitiveness of the championship as he challenges the leaders for top honors.
WorldSSP Race 1 Results
1. Stefano Manzi (Ten Kate Racing Yamaha)
2. Marcel Schroetter (MV Agusta Reparto Corse)
3. Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing WorldSSP Team)
4. Bahattin Sofuoglu (MV Agusta Reparto Corse)
5. Yari Montella (Barni Spark Racing Team)
6. Raffaele De Rosa (Orelac Racing VerdNatura)
WorldSSP Championship standings
1. Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing WorldSSP Team) 263 points
2. Stefano Manzi (Ten Kate Racing Yamaha) 217 points
3. Marcel Schroetter (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) 176 points
WorldSSP Tissot Superpole Results
1. Federico Caricasulo | Ducati | 1’50.779s
2. Nicolo Bulega | Ducati | +0.119s
3. Stefano Manzi | Yamaha | +0.468s
Pic Credit : WSBK Press release
