MANFREDI WRAPS UP THE 2026 CIV SBK SEASON WITH A STRONG COMEBACK
After competing in the Bol d’Or 24-Hour race aboard the Team RAC41 Kaedear Dafy Honda, Kevin Manfredi returned to the saddle of Team Atomico’s Ducati V4 at the Vallelunga circuit for the final round of the 2026 CIV Superbike championship. Racing on home turf, the rider from La Spezia and his team ended the season on a high note, staging impressive recoveries most notably climbing from 22nd on the grid to 8th place in Race 2 which underscored the potential they had unlocked.
It was an intense season that saw Manfredi fighting for a top-six finish and securing a magnificent podium at Mugello. The campaign demonstrated the successful evolution of his partnership with Team Atomico, even though scheduling conflicts with the World Championship forced him to miss two CIV rounds (four races), thereby derailing his bid for a top-five overall finish. Nevertheless, the season was a resounding success: in his first year on the Ducati and the team's second season in CIV SBK, solid foundations were laid for the future.
The Rome round proved challenging from the very start of qualifying due to changeable weather conditions. Kevin finished 15th in Q1, while a pit-stop issue during the switch from rain tires to slicks in Q2 slowed the mechanics down, forcing him to start from 22nd on the grid. It was a difficult situation, yet Kevin remained undeterred, determined to gather data and finish the season on a high note.
In Race 1 (Saturday), Manfredi put in a solid performance, fighting his way up to 14th place a result that provided valuable data for the technicians at Team Atomico and the Andreani Group. In Sunday’s Sprint Race, the Ducati performed superbly, securing another top-10 finish for Kevin. The third and final race provided the most spectacular action: starting from 22nd place again, Manfredi pulled off 14 overtakes over 16 laps, finishing in a well-deserved 8th place a result that confirms the team's competitive level.
The Vallelunga weekend wraps up an intense 2026 season, during which Kevin Manfredi demonstrated speed, consistency, and the ability to compete at the highest level.
Kevin: “It was a strange and tricky weekend. Three tough races, featuring three great fightbacks from 22nd place. In Race 1, we gathered data after practice sessions that were hampered by the weather. We were fast in the Sprint Race, securing another top-10 finish, while in Race 2 we managed to show our full potential though starting further up the grid would have made a difference. I’m happy to have finished the job in the best possible way: with determination and team spirit, we turned around a weekend that had started off on the wrong foot. We never stopped believing, and despite missing four races, we’re ending the season in the championship’s top 10.”
Kevin Manfredi thus concludes his debut season with Ducati in the CIV SBK, laying a solid foundation for the future. With the release of the 2027 calendars for both the CIV and the Endurance World Championship, one thing is certain: unlike this year, there will be no date clashes between the two series. Although plans for the upcoming season have yet to be revealed, the lack of overlapping dates will work to the Ligurian rider's advantage.
Kevin extends his sincere thanks to Team Atomico, his partner, and the sponsors and technical partners who supported him throughout this journey. The season wraps up here, but stay tuned for upcoming developments!
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