Sofuoglu wins PI World Supersport

Riding for the DeltaFin Lorenzini Kawasaki squad after a season in the Moto2 category, Sofuoglu prevailed in a tough, close event that saw the top three split by less than a second for much of the race. Runner-up was Fabien Foret (Kawasaki Intermoto Step), with third place going to Broc Parkes (Ten Kate Racing Products Honda), one of two Aussies in the field.

Qualifying to determine the grid was delayed following a fatal accident involving a national support class rider earlier in the afternoon. When the World Supersport runners finally got their qualifying session late in the afternoon, Parkes used his local knowledge to record the quickest time of 1'34.445, fractionally ahead of Bogdanka PTR Honda's Sam Lowes. Jules Cluzel (PTR Honda) and Sofuoglu completed the front row. The only other Aussie in the World Supersport class this year, Jed Metcher (Rivamoto Junior team), qualified 17th.

WORLD SUPERSPORT RACE
With tyre wear an issue in the extreme heat of the entire race weekend, the decison was made prior to the start of the race to shorten it to 15 laps. Lowes bolted from the start, taking the lead from Cluzel and Foret. Behind them, Parkes played a waiting game, conscious of the need to preserve his tyres for a late charge. Sitting behind Sofuoglu, the Aussie traded places with Sheridan Morais (Kawasaki DeltaFin Lorenzini) for the first dozen laps before making his move.

Sofuoglu leapfrogged Foret and Cluzel on lap 11 to take the race lead, but had Foret on his tail, rarely able to pull away by more than a second. At the chequered flag, Sofuoglu's margin was only 0.078 over Foret. Behind them, Parkes made a lunge on the line to pinch third sport from Cluzel.

"I left my charge a little too late in that one," said Parkes. "But when I started to ramp it up, I cooked my tyres a little too much. So the race was really for third, and I was glad to pip Cluzel at the post. But we'll be back, as it's a long season."

Lowes faded in the last few laps to finish fifth, ahead of Morais, Ronan Quarmby (Honda) and Alex Baldolini (Triumph).

Metcher made an excellent WSS debut, running as high as ninth with two laps remaining, but like many others, was a victim of tyre wear, and had to back off the pace to ensure he finished. He still completed the race in 11th, ahead of a number of seasoned WSS competitors.

World Supersport race results
1. Kenan Sofuoglu 24'08.130 Kawasaki ZX-6R (Kawasaki DeltaFin Lorenzini)
2. Fabien Foret +0.078 Kawasaki ZX-6R (Kawasaki Intermoto Step)
3. Broc Parkes +2.038 Honda CBR 600RR (Ten Kate Racing Products)
4. Jules Cluzel +2.113 Honda CBR 600RR (PTR Honda)
5. Sam Lowes +4.955 Honda CBR 600RR (Bogdanka PTR Honda)
6. Sheridan Morais +6.812 Kawasaki ZX-6R (Kawasaki DeltaFin Lorenzini)
7. Ronan Quarmby +11.592 Honda CBR 600RR (PTR Honda)
8. Alex Baldolini +16.761 Triumph Daytona 675 (Power Team by Suriano)
9. Vittorio Iannuzzo +18.098 Triumph Daytona 675 (Power Team by Suriano)
10. Lukas Pesek +18.425 Honda CBR 600RR (PRORACE)
11. Jed Metcher +19.227 Yamaha YZF R6 (RivaMoto Junior Team)

Round two of the World Superbike and World Supersport championship will be held at Imola, Italy on April 1.