The Portimão Circuit, also known as the "rollercoaster" of motorcycling, hosted the 11th Round of Worldsbk 2021 and on this occasion it allowed Kevin Manfredi to consolidate the goal he had set for himself at the beginning of the season:
reconfirm the European Title for the second consecutive year.
And it is precisely with the 9th victory of the season obtained this weekend that the Spezzino conquers the European Supersport 600 Championship for the second consecutive time.
After a Saturday that saw the Spezzino rider retire while he was leading the European Championship and in 11th position in the World Championship due to a technical problem, the hope of winning the European Championship seemed to have vanished.
However, there was only one possibility left, that of playing it all out on Sunday, in Race 2.
A night of intense work was therefore envisaged for the whole team that did not give up a moment to allow its driver to accomplish this feat.
Sunday then began with an incredible warmup in the rain, in which Kevin on the Yamaha of Team Altogo became the protagonist among the best 6 in the World Championship, thus demonstrating his speed and determination in all conditions.
In Race 2, one point would have been enough to overcome the same score in the Championship and therefore crown the success, but Kevin wanted more, one point was not enough for him.
After starting well from 14th place, Kevin set a fast pace that allowed him to reach the world top 10, managing to remain European leader from the first lap. After 17 laps, the Spezzino passes under the checkered flag 11th, winning 5 points and thus formalizing the victory of the second European title.
Kevin Manfredi: After a very tough season in which we got to fight against the best drivers and teams in the world, we finally managed to win this very important title! It is always good to win but reconfirming the victory of a Championship the following year is even more so.
The inexperience compared to other structures that have been in this panorama for years has caught us unprepared many times and we paid for these moments, especially in the World Championship in which I sincerely wanted to achieve something more, but with the commitment we were able to bring home this European result that gratifies all the sacrifices made.
On Saturday evening the Team worked hard to allow me to run Sunday's race, the decisive one, in excellent condition!
I do not hide that after the forced retirement of Race 1 I thought the hope of victory was completely over, but my partner motivated me and took care of everything at 360 degrees to allow me to stay focused on my goal until the end and to get to this result.
I want to thank for this result all the people who have been there and who have helped me: my partner who has always supported me and who made a surprise for me a celebratory helmet that is unique in every detail, the AltoGo team and all my sponsors and technical partners who made all this possible and believed in me even in these two very difficult years due to the global situation due to covid-19.
Every little effort made by each person has been fundamental for me to achieve this goal.
I am, indeed we are, European Champions 2021! "
After the season finale in the European Championship, Kevin must immediately reach the capital to compete in the last round of the Italian Speed Championship scheduled at the Roman circuit of Vallelunga this weekend.
Kevin thanks all the sponsors and technical partners of the 2021 season.
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