PREVIEW: WorldSSP heads to Jerez with Huertas on the verge of glory, but can Manzi overturn a big deficit?
Huertas needs to score just five points over both races, while Manzi needs two wins and for results to go his way…
As the saying goes, all good things must come to an end and the 2024 FIM Supersport World Championship reaches that point at the Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto. A rollercoaster of emotions and a topsy-turvy title fight give way to the season finale Prometeon Spanish Round, with the title going to either Adrian Huertas (Aruba.it Racing WorldSSP Team) or Stefano Manzi (Pata Prometeon Ten Kate Racing). Following his crash at Estoril, Yari Montella (Barni Spark Racing Team) is now out of title contention but could claim P2 in the standings.
AND THEN THERE WERE TWO: Huertas and Manzi fight for the title
When Montella crashed in Race 2 at Estoril, it looked like Huertas had the title mathematically secured… but with Manzi leading the race, the #62 stayed in the fight and took it to Jerez. The gap between them is 45 points, giving Huertas a second match point and it’s simple maths for the #99: he needs to score five points across Race 1 and Race 2, while it’s a lot trickier for Manzi. The Italian needs to win both races and hope Huertas scores four points or fewer (in the event of a tie, Huertas will win due to the number of victories). Additionally, Manzi needs to keep an eye on Montella behind as the #55 could move back into second place, with the Barni Ducati rider 11 points behind Manzi.
BATTLES FOR FOURTH AND SIXTH: Debise vs Schroetter, Caricasulo vs Navarro
Further back, Valentin Debise (Evan Bros. WorldSSP Yamaha Team) is hoping to secure fourth place after a recent run of strong form. The Frenchman is fresh from a podium finish at both Aragon and Estoril and sits 14 points ahead of Marcel Schroetter (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) who hasn’t stood on the podium since the second round of the year. Federico Caricasulo (Motozoo ME AIR Racing) still has a chance of P4, as he’s currently 34 points behind Debise, but his focus will be on Jorge Navarro (Orelac Racing VerdNatura). The #9 is just two points behind ‘Carica’ and has been in fine form since his switch to Ducati, although Estoril was a disappointment for the Spaniard. Glenn van Straalen (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing) is eighth, 28 points behind Caricasulo, but he has a healthy margin of 21 points to Lucas Mahias (GMT94 Yamaha) behind. Niki Tuuli (EAB Racing Team) completes the top ten, although the Finn will need to pass medical checks on Thursday after being declared unfit at Estoril due to functional impairment on his left shoulder, caused by a training injury.
CORSI ON THE VERGE OF THE TITLE: he can secure the WorldSSP Challenge trophy
Veteran Simone Corsi (Renzi Corse) leads the WorldSSP Challenge standings with 10 points more than Tom Edwards (D34G Racing WorldSSP Team), meaning the Italian will secure the title if he loses nine points or fewer to Edwards. In the event they are tied on points, Edwards has the advantage heading into Jerez courtesy of his P5 at Assen, while Corsi’s best is P7 at Estoril. However, Edwards has not scored points in his last five races and is carrying a heavy knock to his left leg from Estoril, while the Italian has scored points in four of the last five races.
RIDER LINE-UP NEWS: two wildcards at Jerez
There will be two wildcard riders heading into the final round of the season. Jacapo Cretaro returns with the PS Racing Team on the Triumph Street Triple RS 765, having competed at Aragon and claimed a best result of 21st. Melvin van der Voort (MS Racing) also returns to the Championship on the Yamaha R6. He was last at the Czech Round, where he finished 17th in both races. Several riders will need to pass medical checks ahead of the round after being declared unfit: Tuuli, Federico Fuligni (Orelac Racing VerdNatura), Can Oncu (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) and John McPhee (WRP by SKM-Triumph). Piotr Biesiekirski (Ecosantagata Althea Racing Team) misses out through injury, and he’s replaced by Danish rider Simon Jespersen while Mexico’s Guillermo Moreno continues to ride with VIAMO Racing by MTM, in place of Marcel Brenner.
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