This upcoming weekend, the second round of the FIM Supersport World Championship will take place at the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve in Portugal. Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing returns to the spectacular circuit in southern Portugal with Stefano Manzi as the joint championship leader, following a recent test at the venue.

After a very positive start to the season in Australia last month, Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing now begins the European leg of the 2025 World Supersport season. At Phillip Island, Stefano Manzi gave the new Yamaha YZF-R9 a perfect debut with a victory in Race 1, before finishing second in Race 2, missing out on the win by less than a second. Manzi and the team conducted a test in Portimão two weeks ago, ensuring they are well-prepared to continue their fight for the championship lead in Portugal.

For Yuki Okamoto the start of the season was less fortunate, as the Japanese rider had to miss the first race weekend of 2025. Following a crash during testing at Phillip Island, Okamoto returned to his home country to recover and prepare as best as possible for this Portuguese round of the World Supersport Championship. Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing is eager to see the reigning JSB1000 champion back in action on the Yamaha R9 this weekend. However, while the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve is familiar to many it is new to Okamoto, meaning he faces a significant challenge given the circuit’s demanding layout.

Stefano Manzi:
“After a month we finally get to race again this weekend. Fortunately we were able to test two weeks ago in Portimão, which was very important. I’m quite confident with the work the team has done on the bike these past couple of weeks, and I’m looking forward to continue working with this new bike. I cannot wait to get started on Friday.”

Yuki Okamoto:
“I’m happy to come to Portimão and looking forward to ride there, as it is a new circuit for me. I will need to learn many things because it is going to be my first race in World Supersport. The team has done an amazing job in Australia so I’m looking forward to join them again. I will certainly enjoy this weekend here in Portugal.”

Kervin Bos – Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing team manager:

“This first European round of the season will be a hectic one for us, as it is the race weekend before our home race in Assen. Since Australia, the team has been working non-stop on preparations for that Assen weekend, where we will once again put on a big show.

It’s great to be racing here in Portimão this weekend under – as the forecasts suggest – good conditions. Two weeks ago we tested here with Stefano, giving us two more valuable days of learning with the R9. His weekend in Australia was very successful, and we are eager to see how the competition stacks up here in Europe, as things can always be slightly different.

Another positive is Yuki’s return. He has already been riding in Japan, so we know he is fit enough. We are looking forward to having the whole team back together here in Portimão and getting back to work as a unit.”

The race weekend in Portimão begins on Friday morning with a free practice session, followed by the Superpole session starting at 13:55 local time (14:55 Central European time) on Friday afternoon. On Saturday morning there will first be a warm-up session followed by Race 1 over 17 laps, which starts at 12:35 local time (13:35 CET) in the afternoon. On Sunday the same schedule applies, with a warm-up session in the morning and Race 2 at 12:35 local time (13:35 CET).

Note: On the night from Saturday to Sunday, the clocks will be set forward by one hour due to the start of daylight-saving time.