Kenan Sofuoglu (Kawasaki Lorenzini) won his fourth race of the season Sunday, securing victory by 0.541 seconds over second place rider Jules Cluzel (PTR Honda) in the 19-lap FIM Supersport World Championship race at the Nürburgring.
Sofuoglu’s win was of the start-to-finish variety as he extended his championship lead over Cluzel, with Kenan now sitting on 198 points to the French rider’s 160.
Kenan Sofuoglu (Kawasaki Lorenzini ZX-6R Supersport) says: “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. Before coming here my goal was to win this race 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.”
Third at Nurburgring World Supersport was Fabien Foret (Kawasaki Intermoto Step Racing) who moved to third in the championship after podium challenger Sam Lowes (Bogdanka PTR Honda) fell.
Lowes restarted to finish 14th but he is now fourth overall in the points, four behind Foret. Broc Parkes (Ten Kate racing Products Honda) was fourth today, 2012 rising star Vladimir Leonov (Yakhnich Motorsports Yamaha) went fifth but was disqualified post-race for a technical infringement.
Nurburgring World Supersport Results: 1. Sofuoglu (Kawasaki) 19 Laps/97.603 km in 38’13.709 average 153.189 kph; 2. Cluzel (Honda) 0.541; 3. Foret (Kawasaki) 6.258; 4. Parkes (Honda) 10.345; 5. Baldolini (Triumph) 18.303; 6. Talmacsi (Honda) 22.366; 7. Iannuzzo (Triumph) 27.230; 8. Linortner (Yamaha) 33.213; 9. Quarmby (Honda) 33.526; 10. Roccoli (Yamaha) 35.932; etc.
2012 World Supersport Points (after 11 of 13 rounds): 1. Sofuoglu 198; 2. Cluzel 160; 3. Foret 144; 4. Lowes 141; 5. Parkes 122; 6. Morais 84; 7. Baldolini 78; 8. Quarmby 77; 9. Iannuzzo 60; 10. Tamburini 50; etc. Manufacturers: 1. Kawasaki 237; 2. Honda 237; 3. Triumph 107; 4. Yamaha 97; 5. Suzuki 6.
