Manzi qualifies seventh as Okamoto gets familiarised with Aragon

Stefano Manzi qualified seventh on Friday afternoon for the first World Supersport race at Motorland Aragón. In the Superpole session, the Italian secured a spot on the third row of the grid, while Yuki Okamoto completed his first laps at the demanding Spanish circuit.

Under sunny and pleasant conditions, the tenth race weekend of the 2025 season got underway at Motorland Aragón on Friday. While World Championship leader Stefano Manzi immediately found his pace, for Yuki Okamoto – as has often been the case this year – it was all about learning a new circuit and covering as many laps as possible. With limited track time in the current World Supersport championship, the afternoon already brought the Superpole session.

In qualifying Stefano Manzi set a fastest lap of 1’52.863, which secured him seventh place on the grid for Race 1. Despite the maximum rev limit being reduced by the organisers, the Italian still showed strong and consistent pace – particularly over longer distance – but was not able to ride that one perfect lap. Teammate Yuki Okamoto qualified 28^th for the opening WorldSSP race of the weekend.

Stefano Manzi (P7 – 1’52.863 / +0,606):
“It was not a bad Friday here in Aragón. To be honest, already at home I thought this would be a challenging track for us and it is, because we’re struggling in the last sector like we did last year. We need to make some progress for tomorrow but still I think we did quite a good job. We’re still close to the font so let’s see if we can find something for tomorrow and have a good race.”

Yuki Okamoto (P28 – 1’54,979 / +2,722):
“My first impression of Motorland Aragón is that it is a very difficult circuit. I was able to improve a bit from the morning to the afternoon session, but I still need more time to learn this track. I will keep trying my best to improve ahead of tomorrow.”

Kervin Bos – Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing team manager:
“As we said before, Aragón always brings something interesting. With Stefano we are in a good position for the race in terms of pace and tyre management. Qualifying didn’t quite go our way, but that can happen – the gaps are very small. In any case, I’m confident we can fight for the podium tomorrow. For Yuki it was once again a new track, and Aragón is certainly a tough one. Hopefully he can gain some positions tomorrow, but we head into the first race with a positive feeling.”

Manzi finishes third in WorldSSP race one while Okamoto finishes 25th

Stefano Manzi finished third on Saturday afternoon in the first World Supersport race at MotorLand Aragón. The Italian was in contention for the victory for much of the race but had to settle for third place in the closing stages, mindful of his lead in the championship. Teammate Yuki Okamoto crossed the line in 25^th position in his first race at the Spanish circuit.

In sunny and pleasant conditions, the first World Supersport race of the weekend took place on Saturday afternoon at MotorLand Aragón. Starting from seventh on the grid, Manzi got away well and immediately joined the leading group. The Italian remained within striking distance of the two frontrunners fighting for victory and eventually crossed the finish line in third. With the second-fastest lap of the race to his name, Manzi will start Race 2 from second on the grid.

Yuki Okamoto endured a difficult first race at the demanding MotorLand Aragón circuit, eventually finishing in 25^th place. With the added experience gained on the Spanish track, Okamoto will line up 27^th on the grid for Race 2.

Stefano Manzi (P3 / +3,236):
“This race was completely the opposite to what I expected. I expected to have a big front group but already from the first lap it was only Can and Valentin in the lead. I was able to follow them but in the end I didn’t have any rear tyre left, so it was difficult to stay near them. In the final two laps I had to back off a bit, and take home this third place. It’s still a very good result for the championship and I’m happy to be on the podium again.”

Yuki Okamoto (P25 / +42,849):
“It was a very tough race for me. This morning I had a crash in the warm up session, and I want to thank the team for their hard work to repair my bike. I need to keep trying and I will never give up. I’ll focus on Race 2 and give it my all once again.”

Kervin Bos – Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing team manager:
“Once again a podium for Stefano after an excellently ridden race. It is a good result and we have gathered enough data to improve the bike for tomorrow. I am confident we can give him a better package, and if everything comes together, we can fight for more. For Yuki, this is a tough circuit to learn during a race weekend and we will support him as much as possible so that he can take another step forward tomorrow.”

Manzi misses out on race two victory by just 0.027 seconds, Okamoto finishes 26th

Stefano Manzi finished second in Sunday afternoon’s World Supersport Race 2 at Motorland Aragón. The Italian battled for victory all the way to the finish but fell just 0.027 seconds short of claiming his tenth win of the season. Yuki Okamoto crossed the line in 26^th place.

Under sunny and warm conditions, Race 2 for the World Supersport class took place on Sunday afternoon at Motorland Aragón. Starting from second on the grid, Manzi got off to a flying start and immediately took the lead. The Italian was pushed aside by his rivals in the early stages, but he kept his composure and fought his way back to the front halfway through the race.

Manzi engaged in an intense battle with title rival and fellow Yamaha rider Can Öncü, ultimately missing out by just 0.027 seconds at the line. Nevertheless, Manzi still holds a comfortable 60-point lead in the championship with two rounds remaining.

Yuki Okamoto wrapped up his first race weekend at Motorland Aragón with 26^th place in Race 2. For the Japanese rider it was mainly about learning the circuit, as most WorldSSP competitors already have significant experience at the Spanish track.

Stefano Manzi (P2 / +0,027):
“Normally I would not be happy with a second place but sometimes it is positive. After this weekend I can be happy with my results, finishing on the podium twice. We have had a solid weekend on a track that I never really liked. I haven’t had great performances here so finishing on the podium is a good result, and it is also good for our championship. I am looking forward to the next round in Estoril where I managed to win last year, so that might suit me a bit better. Anyway, we’ll work hard because this weekend was not up to our standards. I’m sure we will be stronger next time out.”

Yuki Okamoto (P26 / +45,879):
“Today was even tougher than yesterday. I couldn’t push hard enough in Race 2 because my rear tyre was finished. However, I think this experience is good for me and I will never give up. Now we focus our minds on the next round in Estoril.”

Kervin Bos – Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing team manager:
“It was a strong weekend for Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing here at Motorland Aragón. Stefano delivered another podium finish, missing out on victory by just 0.027 seconds – you really can’t ask for more than that. Of course you always want to win, but you can’t win them all. Aragón has been a challenging circuit for us with Stefano over the past three seasons, so hats off to him and the team for turning it around on Sunday afternoon. We closed the weekend on a high, and we know the next two circuits – Estoril and Jerez – suit us very well.

For Yuki it was a very difficult weekend. This was another new circuit for him, and we struggled to find a proper rhythm. We need to learn from that and take the positives into Estoril and Jerez. These will also be new circuits for him, and that makes a first season in Europe very tough. For him it’s important to keep remembering the positives from this weekend and to give it everything again in two weeks’ time.”