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History beckons at the Circuito Estoril as Adrian Huertas (Aruba.it Racing WorldSSP Team) looks to secure the FIM Supersport World Championship during the Estoril Round. He heads to Portugal with a sizeable margin over his rivals and he can wrap up his second World Championship on Sunday as he looks to end his WorldSSP career on a high. Both Yari Montella (Barni Spark Racing Team) and Stefano Manzi (Pata Prometeon Ten Kate Racing) remain in contention as they look to make it a season finale showdown.

THE TITLE FIGHT: Huertas leads by 41 points

Huertas takes a 41-point lead into Estoril with Montella in second and Manzi a further five points back. If the #99 Ducati is to take the crown, it can only be on Sunday. He’ll need to leave Estoril 50 points clear of both, meaning the title is secured if he outscores Montella by nine points and Manzi by four across the weekend. If he does win the title, Huertas will become the first rider to win both the WorldSSP300 and WorldSSP titles. Huertas took two top-eight finishes in 2022 in WorldSSP at Estoril, while Montella claimed a P4 in Race 2 in the same year; both were on Kawasaki machinery. Manzi was also at Estoril that year but did not finish either race.

CAN SCHROETTER CATCH DEBISE? A close fight for fourth

Valentin Debise (Evan Bros. WorldSSP Yamaha Team) and Marcel Schroetter (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) have been in a close fight in 2024, with just 14 points between them heading into Estoril. Schroetter endured a tough few rounds across the summer but seems to be back to his best, while Debise has been a consistent podium contender. With little to separate the duo, who will come out on the tight for P4? Neither has raced at Estoril in WorldSSP, just to throw the cat amongst the pigeons for this battle…

CEMENTING A TOP SIX SPOT: Navarro aiming for more podiums, Caricasulo just behind…

Jorge Navarro (Orelac Racing VerdNatura) has been a revelation since his switch to the Ducati Panigale V2, often fighting for the podium and moving into sixth in the standings. He’s just ahead of Federico Caricasulo (Motozoo ME AIR Racing) who’s raced at Estoril in both WorldSSP and WorldSBK and just 12 points separate the pair. Glenn van Straalen (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing) sits eighth and he’s 22 clear of Niki Tuuli (EAB Racing Team) in ninth, while there’s a big fight for P10 between Lucas Mahias (GMT94 Yamaha) and Tom Booth-Amos (PTR Triumph); just five points separate them.

THE WORLD SUPERSPORT CHALLENGE: Edwards vs Corsi for the title

Tom Edwards (D34G Racing WorldSSP Team) leads the WorldSSP Challenge title race ahead of Simone Corsi (Renzi Corse) but just four points separate them heading into the penultimate round. It means the title could be won by Australian rider Edwards at Estoril, although there would need to be a massive points swing in Edwards’ favour.

GRID CHANGES FOR ESTORIL: a new team for Sofuoglu, Bendsneyder set for debut

Bo Bendsneyder will make his WorldSSP debut with the MV Agusta Reparto Corse team as he replaces Bahattin Sofuoglu, with the #54 making the switch to the Yamaha Thailand Racing Team for the final two rounds of 2024. Guillermo Moreno will make his WorldSSP debut with the VIAMO Racing by MTM squad, while Goncalo Ribeiro (FIFTY Motorsport) will also be on the grid for the first time as a wildcard. Azroy Anuar is back as a wildcard with the PETRONAS MIE Racing Honda team. Elsewhere, Lorenzo Baldassarri (WRP by SKM-Triumph) will be hoping he’s back on track, but he’ll need to pass medical checks.

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