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Sofuoglu name returns to top in WorldSSP: Bahattin blasts clear in Barcelona FP1

Friday, 5 May 2023 10:27 GMT

    • There was plenty of Turkish delight on offer in WorldSSP once again, this time, courtesy of Bahattin Sofuoglu

    As the sun continued to beat down in Barcelona and the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, the on-track action was intense as always. With a track temperature surging into the 40s, grip – like always in Montmelo – came at a premium. Looking good from the start and growing in stature all the time, Bahattin Sofuoglu (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) grabbed first honours of the Prosecco DOC Catalunya Round weekend.

    It was a bright start to the day for Bahattin Sofuoglu, with the Turkish star enjoying the feeling of topping a session in World Supersport for the first. The #54 will look to follow in the footsteps of uncle, Kenan, and add his name to the winners’ list. However, he suffered a crash at the end of the session at Turn 2 but was back up and running and on top. Stefano Manzi (Ten Kate Racing Yamaha) took second position as he aims to close the gap to Championship leader Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati), with just 0.199s covering the top three. Yari Montella (Barni Spark Racing Team) took fourth place and it was Raffaele De Rosa (Orelac Racing VerdNatura) in fifth, although they were over fourth tenths adrift of Sofuoglu.

    Making it two MV Agusta’s inside the top six was German rookie Marcel Schroetter (MV Agusta Reparto Corse), as the #23 continues to make good strides in the opening third of the season. Jorge Navarro (Ten Kate Racing Yamaha) was seventh and further up the order than previously demonstrated, although he suffered a fall at Turn 10. Niki Tuuli (Dynavolt Triumph) was in eighth, ahead of Federico Caricasulo (Althea Racing Team) and top WorldSSP Challenge rider Tom Booth-Amos (Motozoo ME Air Racing), who completed the top ten.

    Top six after WorldSSP FP1 in Barcelona, full results here:

    1. Bahattin Sofuoglu (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) 1’45.582s

    2. Stefano Manzi (Ten Kate Racing Yamaha) +0.077s

    3. Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing WorldSSP Team) +0.199s

    4. Yari Montella (Barni Spark Racing Team) +0.424s

    5. Raffaele De Rosa (Orelac Racing VerdNatura) +0.452s

    6. Marcel Schroetter (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) +0.504s

    Watch the Prosecco DOC Catalunya Round unfold in style with the WorldSBK VideoPass!