Round 5 of the World Superbike 2021 was staged in Holland, more precisely in Assen in the circuit called "Cathedral of speed" or the Cathedral of Speed, for its layout made up of incredible curves in sequence of over 200km / h to be covered as a dance among the curbs.
Kevin Manfredi following the beautiful podium of Imola in the CIV; to the excellent performance at the 12h of Estoril in the EWC and after an absence of 4 years in this circuit he had a great desire for redemption. It was in Assen that he won his first European double of the season, scoring his 5th victory out of 10 championship matches and consolidating his Leadership even more with a 12-point advantage over his rival.
An excellent performance by the Spezzino who also in the World Championship improves his positions compared to the beginning of the Championship, approaching the top 10 since Friday's free practice.
A weekend that started off on the right foot, always leading the European classification in all practice sessions and ever closer to the world champions, with 13th place in FP1, 10th in FP2 and 9th in Sunday's Warm up.
In Superpole instead Kevin is unable to get out of too much traffic and slowdowns caused by the other riders, this will cost the Team Altogo rider a start from the 15th World Championship and the first of the European Championship.
In race 1 Kevin starts strong immediately but on the first lap a crash causes him a problem with the brake and he loses many positions, therefore forced to a tight recovery he manages to regain the lead of the European race and win the race, finishing in 15th position in the World Championship.
In race 2 on Sunday, after a good warm-up, the 34 sprints strong again and immediately goes on the assault of the World top 10, maintaining and winning the victory in the European Supersport from the first to the last lap.
Kevin Manfredi: "The weekend that just ended was the best weekend since the start of the season in the World Championship in which we approached the top 10 several times.
We still lacked something to confirm ourselves and to be able to fight for the positions closest to the top, but I believe that working hard and in small steps as we have done in the last few races can bring us further benefits to reach our goal during the season.
As for the European Championship, however, it was a perfect weekend, always in the lead and with a bit of margin of advantage, this allowed us to dominate all the tests and conquer an important double that confirms us again as Championship leader.
We have a lot of data to exploit as early as next week in the CIV and certainly having played 4 races, one after the other in 4 weeks and with a lot of data collected, can bring us a further benefit in our work. "
Kevin Manfredi therefore dominates the European Championship with a 12-point advantage and can't wait to get back on his Yamaha R6 in the next two Rounds: in Misano for Round 4 in the Italian Speed Championship and in Most in the Czech Republic for Round 6. of WorldSBK.
Kevin thanks all the sponsors and technical partners of the 2021 season.
