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The FIM Supersport World Championship is set to provide some classic racing action for 2017, in one of the most phenomenal series which treats fans to close finishes and edge of your seat racing. Once again Kenan Sofuoglu (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) will have the target on his back as reigning champion, however he will face some stiff competition from the 24 WorldSSP riders on the entry list and we take a look at just a few riders who could provide the drama.  

Niki Tuuli

Entering the series as a one event rider for just three rounds, Finnish rider Niki Tuuli will now become a permanent fixture in the WorldSSP series from 2017 with Kallio Race System. From his first round Tuuli was competitive, securing a second position finish at Lausitzring just 1.757s behind race winner Kenan Sofuoglu. Following this stunning performance he was able to emulate his success with two more second positions – at Magny-Cours and Jerez. With very little time to test on his Kallio Racing Yamaha YZF R6 last season, he was still able to secure podium finishes as well as going home with the Fastest Laps record from all three races. With this in mind it’s hard to imagine Tuuli finishing outside of the top five this season.

PJ Jacobsen

American PJ Jacobsen had a seemingly tough season in 2016 with Honda, despite securing fourth position overall in the championship and two podium position finishes. Jacobsen is entering his fourth full season in the World Supersport class and aims to be back up and fighting for victories, which he was able to do 2015. Making the move to MV Agusta Reparto Corse, the 23 year old has age on his side and will be able to support the development of the F3 675. A proven race winner with a host of experience, Jacobsen should cause some ructions up front in the series famed for fast and tight racing.

Kyle Smith

Winner of a stunning final race under the floodlights in Qatar last season, British rider Kyle Smith steps over to GEMAR Balloons – Team Lorini for 2017 and has proved he can take the fight to reigning champion Kenan Sofuoglu. Smith, 25, has a wealth of experience across many racing series and is clearly comfortable adapting to new bikes – constantly taking on new challenges across his career. Securing a top five championship finish in the last two World Supersport seasons, Smith will continue on a Honda with the well established Italian team. Not afraid of a fight, Smith will be looking to mix things up at the front of the pack in the upcoming season.

Lucas Mahias

An older entry on the World Supersport grid, Frenchman Lucas Mahias will start his first full season with the GRT Yamaha Official WorldSSP Team, after putting in some impressive results towards the end of 2016 with their STK1000 team. It may look like 27 year old Mahias has had a steady career in the World Superbike paddock, however he has impressed in both the FIM Endurance World Championship and the French Supersport Championship – winning both in the past. Competing in three Superstock 1000 races in 2016; Mahias finished inside the top two on all three occasions as well as securing two top 13 finishes in the Dutch WorldSBK. Combine that with the lack of knowledge he had aboard these machines, it makes for some impressive results. Now he has a permanent ride he will surely be able to impress this season with the YZF R6. 

Kyle Ryde

Despite a tough start to his first full series in the World Supersport series, British rider Kyle Ryde now has a permanent ride secured for 2017 with the reigning championship team – Kawasaki Puccetti Racing. Ryde impressed in this debut WorldSSP race back in 2015, as he secured a podium at a thrilling race in front of his home fans at Donington Park. 2016 proved difficult for the 19 year old but he never gave up. Despite his team pulling out mid-way through the season, he was able to bounce back and continued to compete with Schdmit Racing for the final rounds of the year. His steely determination will stand him in good stead for the upcoming season, and with a team-mate like Kenan Sofuoglu he really will be able to learn from the best.