One hand on the title for Turkish star
World Supersport points leader Kenan Sofuoglu's crucial win at the Nurburgring puts him clearly in line to win a third title with two rounds of the championship remaining. The result was also a great satisfaction for Kawasaki, who last winter hedged their bets on the Turkish rider to bring the title back to Akashi for the first time since 2001, when Andrew Pitt was the winner.
Just like two weeks before at Moscow Raceway, Sofuoglu was implacable in his race approach and tactics and immediately powered into the lead from the final front row grid slot, with Jules Cluzel (PTR Honda) the only man able to stay with him. Unlike the Russian Round however the young Frenchman managed to remain in Sofuoglu's tracks and finished runner-up half-a-second behind at the flag.
"Before coming here my goal was to win this race," said Sofuoglu, "because I knew if I won I just had to finish the race in Portimao to become World Champion again. I have reached my goal here and now in Portimao of course I will ride for points, but if I can see the chance I will try to win the race in Portugal."
For Sofuoglu a first-ever win at the Nurburgring is particularly significant as he started his racing career in the German Yamaha R6 Cup with a title win back in 2002: "I raced here for the first time in 2002, in a one make championship, and although I have come here many times since I could never win the race. Finally I have won this race and I'm happy about it. My career really started in Germany so it is nice to win the race here."
