FIM World Supersport – Race 1
The opening race of the 2025 FIM World Supersport season was an absolute thriller, going right down to the wire in a fierce four-way battle to the finish line. In the end, Stefano Manzi (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing) claimed the first FIM World Supersport victory of the year at Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, also marking a historic moment as the first rider to win aboard the new Yamaha YZF-R9 machinery.
The Opening Laps
At the start, Can Öncü (Yamaha BLU CRU Evan Bros Racing Team) made a strong launch, grabbing the holeshot and proving the Yamaha R9’s power off the line. However, it was Jaume Masia (Orelac Racing Verdnature) who ultimately led across the Gardner Straight at the end of Lap 1.
Unfortunately, Australian rider Harrison Voight (D34G WorldSSP Racing Team) suffered a heavy highside at Turn 6 on Lap 2. Despite the dramatic crash, Voight was fortunate to walk away seemingly uninjured.
Meanwhile, Niccolò Antonelli (VFT Racing) suffered a technical issue just as the 30-second board was displayed, forcing him to start from the back of the grid instead of his original P13 placing. By Lap 6, Antonelli had impressively fought his way back to 13th place, making strong progress in what could have been a much better race for him.
At the front, Lap 6 saw an intense battle for the Top 3, with six riders covered by just one second as they fought for position before the mandatory flag-to-flag pit stops began.
Pit Stop Strategies Unfold
World Supersport rules require a mandatory pit stop within the first 10 laps, with a minimum intervention time of 1 minute 18 seconds.
On Lap 8, the first group of riders to pit included:
- Jaume Masia
- Tom Booth-Amos (PTR Triumph Factory Racing)
- Marcel Schrötter (WRP Racing)
- Oli Bayliss (PTR Triumph Factory Racing), who was running in 8th place
Race leader Manzi opted to extend his first stint, making his stop at the end of Lap 9.
A few riders, including Jeremy Alcoba (Kawasaki WorldSSP Team), Luke Power (Motozoo ME Air Racing), and Simon Jespersen (Ecosantagata Althea Racing Team), maximised their stint length, waiting until Lap 10 to pit.
However, Masia was quickly placed under investigation for a pit lane infringement, as his stop was shorter than the required 1 minute 18 seconds.
The Closing Stages
With all pit stops completed, riders settled in for the second half of the 18-lap race.
- Booth-Amos lost half a second during his pit stop, affecting his track position.
- Masia was handed a 3.5-second penalty for his pit infringement.
- Bo Bendsneyder received a 0.855-second penalty.
Meanwhile, Oli Bayliss capitalised on a well-timed pit stop, finding himself in a heated battle for a Top 7 finish alongside Lucas Mahias, Valentin Debise, and Bendsneyder in the final four laps.
As the race neared its conclusion, the Top 4 riders were separated by just 0.399 seconds. However, with Masia’s penalty set to be applied post-race, he was at risk of dropping down the order.
Final Lap Drama
The battle for victory came down to Masia, Manzi, and Booth-Amos, with Schrötter making an aggressive last-lap move at Turn 1. His divebomb attempt under Masia resulted in him running wide, dropping out of race-winning contention and falling to 4th place.
As the chequered flag waved for the first World Supersport race of 2025, it was Stefano Manzi who emerged victorious, followed closely by Tom Booth-Amos in 2nd and Marcel Schrötter in 3rd.
Final Race Results (Top 6 after penalties applied)
1️⃣ Stefano Manzi
2️⃣ Tom Booth-Amos
3️⃣ Marcel Schrötter
4️⃣ Bo Bendsneyder (after 0.855-second penalty)
5️⃣ Can Oncu
6️⃣ Jaume Masia (demoted from 2nd to 6th due to his 3.5-second penalty)
Australian Oli Bayliss impressed with a strong opening race, winning a fierce three-way battle against Valentin Debise and Lucas Mahias to claim a Top 7 finish.
