Sofuoglu wins 2012 Supersport championship
The race win went the way of Jules Cluzel (PTR Honda CBR 600RR) who eventually triumphed after a hard-fought race that saw four different riders hold the lead at various stages.
In qualifying, Australia's Broc Parkes (Ten Kate Racing Honda CBR 600RR) secured pole position, followed by Fabien Foret (Kawasaki Intermoto Step ZX-6R), Cluzel and Sam Lowes (Bogdanka PTR Honda CBR 600RR). Australia's other Supersport entrant, Jed Metcher (Rivamoto Junior Team Yamaha YZF R6) qualified in 21st place.
After the race schedule was delayed following heavy morning rain, Parkes was the fast starter in the race, taking a narrow lead over Foret and Lowes. Sofuoglu could afford to sit back, as the ZX-6R rider didn't need to win the race to win the championship. Despite this, Sofuoglu took the race lead on lap 5 and held it, battling against Parkes, until lap 12.
Cluzel, the only championship threat to Sofuoglu, took the lead on lap 12, but less than a second separated the top four, with the racing just as tight for the remainder of the 20-lap race. Despite a late charge from Foret, who briefly held the lead, Cluzel prevailed to take the race win, but Sofuoglu's second place was enough to secure the championship. Parkes eventually finished fourth, losing the final podium place to Foret. A number of retirements from the backmarkers saw Metcher finish in 14th.
After the race, Sofuoglu spoke of his decision to race smarter, not harder, when he realised the championship was in the bag.
"We knew that we did not have to come to Portugal to win the race to win the title," Sofuoglu said.
"Sometimes in the race I was thinking that I was already going to be world champion, so I was asking myself why I had to take more risk, so I was careful, especially on the last lap not to attack Cluzel in the lead. To win the title in the first year with Kawasaki makes me very happy."
The career statistics for Sofuoglu now stand at: three titles (2007, 2010 and 2012); 48 podiums from 68 races; and a record total of 21 individual race wins. With one race remaining, the best Parkes can hope for is equal third in the championship if both Lowes and Foret fail to score points.
2012 WORLD SUPER SPORT CHAMPIONSHIP - PORTIMAO
Race: 20 laps
1. Jules CLUZEL Honda 36'05.886
2. Kenan SOFUOGLU Kawasaki +0.645
3. Fabien FORET Kawasaki +0.969
4. Broc PARKES Honda +1.035
5. Sam LOWES Honda +3.905
6. Sheridan MORAIS Kawasaki +5.936
7. Dan LINFOOT Kawasaki +22.555
8. Alex BALDOLINI Triumph +22.595
9. Ronan QUARMBY Honda +23.121
10. Mathew SCHOLTZ Honda +23.740
14. Jed METCHER Yamaha +25.919
Championship standings (after 12 of 13 rounds)
1. Sofuoglu 218 (World Champion)
2. Cluzel 185
3. Foret 160
4. Lowes 152
5. Parkes 135
6. Morais 94
7. Baldolini 86
8. Quarmby 84
9. Iannuzzo 60
10. Leonov 52
14. Metcher 34
The final round of the 2012 World Supersport Championship will be held at Magny Cours, France, on October 5-7.
Images: 2SNAP, courtesy of IRPR
