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TWO IN A ROW: Ducati secured 2024 WorldSSP Manufacturers’ title at Estoril

Tuesday, 15 October 2024 07:41 GMT

Italian manufacturer Ducati made it two titles in a row after wrapping up the title with a round to spare in World Supersport

Ducati had reason to celebrate at the Circuito Estoril as they wrapped up the 2024 Manufacturers’ title in the FIM Supersport World Championship. Victory for Yari Montella (Barni Spark Racing Team) in Race 1 during the Estoril Round was enough to secure the title with three races to spare, thanks to the efforts of Montella, Championship leader Adrian Huertas (Aruba.it Racing WorldSSP Team) and Niki Tuuli (EAB Racing Team), all of whom took valuable points for Ducati’s title success.

After returning to the Championship in 2022, Ducati didn’t have to wait long for success. Consistent podiums came in that season with Nicolo Bulega, before winning both the Riders’ Championship and Manufacturers’ Champion in 2023, with Bulega taking the former before his move into WorldSBK. His place was taken by Adrian Huertas (Aruba.it Racing WorldSSP Team), and he, along with Montella and Tuuli, have won on the Panigale V2 this season.

Out of 22 races run so far this season, Ducati have claimed victory in 18 of them. Huertas has taken the majority of Ducati’s wins this season with 10 victories, giving him control of the Riders’ Championship heading into the season finale at Jerez. The key run for the #99 came between Misano and Most, when he won six consecutive races. Wins have been more difficult since then with just two wins – Race 1 at Cremona and Race 1 at Aragon – since taking the Riders’ title fight to Jerez.

Montella had been in title contention until Estoril, but he has contributed seven wins to Ducati’s charge, starting off his season with a double in Australia before returning to winning ways with two wins at Portimao. Wins at Aragon and in Race 1 at Estoril helped him stay in title contention but a Race 2 crash in Portugal ended his hopes of this year’s crown.

The third and final Ducati race winner this year is Niki Tuuli (EAB Racing Team), who made a small bit of history. His first three wins in WorldSSP have come with three different manufacturers after he won Race 1 at Magny-Cours in wet conditions.

In the four races not won by Ducati riders, it’s been Huertas and Montella there to pick up the valuable Manufacturers’ Championship points by finishing on the podium in three races. Ducati’s worst result that counted towards the Manufacturers’ Championship was a P4 finish in Race 2 in Barcelona, showing the manufacturer’s pace and potential throughout the whole 2024 season.

Discussing the Bologna-based manufacturer’s success, Gigi Dall’Igna, Ducati Corse General Manager, said: “We are happy and proud to celebrate winning our second WorldSSP Manufacturers’ title, a victory that follows our sixth Constructors' title in MotoGP at Misano at the end of September. This is another important milestone, once again demonstrating the commitment and dedication of the men and women at Ducati Corse. Thanks to all of them, as well as the teams and riders who helped bring the Panigale V2 to the top of the world.”

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