WorldSSP: Supersport crown caps Manzi’s journey before WorldSBK move in 2026
Stefano Manzi (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing) has been crowned the 2025 FIM Supersport World Champion, securing the title with 2 races to go after a commanding campaign aboard the new Yamaha R9.
For Manzi, the title represents a career milestone after two runner-up finishes in 2023 and 2024. The Italian has been a dominant force in 2025, scoring 10 victories and 18 podiums on his way to Championship glory.
Stefano Manzi (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing)
“It feels amazing to be World Champion. It’s difficult to find the words to describe it. After finishing second two years in a row, to finally win is incredible. It’s a lifetime of work, when you start riding young, you dream about this, and to achieve it is amazing.
The key moment for me was the difficult period when I crashed at Most and Misano. That was a wake-up call, reminding me that you are not unbeatable and must stay focused to win the title. From that moment, I worked hard, avoided repeating mistakes, and finally I can say I achieved it, it’s an incredible feeling.”
Kervin Bos – Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing Team Manager
“This has been a three-year project, and to win the championship now in the third year is unbelievable. It was even more special the way Stefano did it, because we all know how pressure affects riders, but he left all the pressure in the hotel and won the race to become Champion.
From the start of the season, we could see he had stepped up his game massively. His growth year after year has been amazing. Not just as a rider – in his first year he was already at a very high level – but he lacked consistency and workflow. There was also work to do on the mental side, and this year he made huge strides mentally, personally, and in performance. He’s now complete and ready for Superbike.”
RACING JOURNEY
Manzi began his career in the Italian Championship and JuniorGP before moving to the Moto3 World Championship in 2015 and then to Moto2 in 2017, where his highlights included a pole position and a fourth-place finish. He switched to WorldSSP in 2022 with Dynavolt Triumph, taking his first win at Portimao, before joining Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing and immediately establishing himself as a title contender. In 2025, he finally clinched the WorldSSP Championship title, solidifying his position as a top rider in the category.
CAREER STATS
First Race: Jerez ’21
Wins:
Podium places:
Pole positions:
Title: 1 (WorldSSP)
A NEW CHALLENGE AWAITS
With the 2025 crown, Manzi adds his name to the list of Supersport Champions and confirms his place among the most competitive riders in the paddock. Next season, he will step up to WorldSBK with the GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team.
RIDER PROFILE
Place of birth: Rimini, Italy
Age: 26
Team: Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing
Bike: Yamaha R9
For more info checkout our dedicated WorldSBK (World Superbike) News page superbike-news.co.uk/category/world-superbikes/
Or visit the official World Superbike website worldsbk.com
©Words/Images are from official press release posted courtesy of WorldSBK.com
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