Supersport's final charge of 2014 in Qatar
A bit opportunity for many riders to shine in the last race of the year.
The FIM Supersport World Championship competitors will be back in action this weekend for their final outing of the year at the Losail International Circuit. With the title already secured by Michael van der Mark (Pata Honda World Supersport) at Jerez, the battle for the runner-up spot sees Frenchman Jules Cluzel (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) twelve points ahead of compatriot Florian Marino (Intermoto Ponyexpres Kawasaki).
Cluzel has good Qatari memories, having stepped onto the rostrum twice in his GP years, both times under floodlights: in 2009 he was second in the 250cc race (maiden Grand Prix podium finish), whilst the following year he finished the Moto2 encounter in third place.
After signing a deal to contest the 2015 season in WSS with Team San Carlo Puccetti Racing Kawasaki, three time World Champion Kenan Sofuoglu will line up once again as wildcard with the Italian squad, hoping to end his rollercoaster year with a strong result. At the Losail International Circuit, the 30 year old Turk scored the first of his 60 World Supersport podium finishes back in 2006.
This round will present a crucial opportunity for many riders to improve their chances of finding a competitive ride for next year and with the Qatari venue being new for the majority of the field we could see some new faces at the sharp end.
Newly crowned FIM Europe Superstock 600 Champion Marco Faccani will replace Alessandro Nocco to make his 2014 World Supersport debut with the San Carlo Puccetti Racing Team.
Another rising star, Lucas Mahias, will hit the Qatari track this weekend joining regular riders Kev Coghlan and Alexey Ivanov in the DMC-Panavto Yamaha Team.
Raffaele De Rosa makes his return to Team Lorini Honda to race the CBR600RR alongside fellow Italian Luca Marconi, while Colombian rider Martin Cardenas will compete in his second consecutive race with the CIA Insurance Honda Team.
