MANFREDI FAST BUT UNLUCKY: DOUBLE RETIREMENT AT MUGELLO

The second seasonal event of the Italian Speed ​​Championship took place on the Tuscan track of the Mugello Circuit, with our rider Kevin Manfredi as the protagonist in the Superbike category.

Once again, Kevin demonstrated speed, determination and great professionalism, confirming himself as a tireless worker and a top-level tester.

Fresh from his debut in the European Bagger Championship, where he finished with an excellent fourth place on a Harley-Davidson, Manfredi returned to the Honda of the Penta Motorsport team, a bike he had not ridden since the first round in April 2025. Unlike his opponents, who carried out several pre-race tests, Kevin arrived at Mugello without recent kilometers on the bike.

Despite this, two rounds were enough for him to get back among the best, immediately setting competitive times.

Kevin: “This weekend I felt strong, even without testing and without recent kilometers on this CIV Honda, very different from the one I use in the Endurance World Championship. The goal was clear: to close the gap from the podium. I always worked with race tires even in qualifying and a full tank, to best prepare for the race.

After a good qualifying session closed in 7th position with a time of 1’51”, in race 1 I started well and already on the second lap I was fighting for the podium. Unfortunately, a technical problem independent of me forced me to retire, leaving me with a bitter taste in my mouth.

In race 2 I had the same excellent feelings, I was motivated and wanted to take advantage of the heat to better manage the tires. After a good start and three positions recovered in the first corners, another technical problem, a damned fuse, destroyed everything, forcing me to retire again.

Too bad, because it was really the right opportunity to demonstrate our speed, despite fewer kilometers and less experience than the others on our Honda.”

Despite the disappointment, Kevin looks ahead with the determination that distinguishes him.

With the CIV round archived, it is already time to change helmet and objectives: this weekend he will be on the track in Belgium for the second round of the Endurance World Championship.

With the Dafy RAC41 Honda team, and a ranking that currently sees him second in the World Championship, the objective is clear: to return to the podium and demonstrate, once again, his value.

Kevin thanks all the sponsors and technical partners of the 2025 season.