Kawasaki’s Randy KrummenacherAfter 18 laps and 11-lead changes during the opening round of World Supersport at Phillip Island in Australia, a rookie earned the win – Kawasaki Puccetti Racing’s Randy Krummenacher.The Swiss Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R rider fought to stay behind teammate Kenan Sofuoglu, but as light rain complicated the race, the reigning World Supersport Champion Sofuoglu experienced a rear-tire issue at turn six of 12 on lap 15, and crashed out.
Read our 2016 Phillip Island World Superbike Results.This allowed Kurmmenacher to take the lead; he remained there to the checkered flag, eventually winning his first-ever World Supersport race by 2.747 ahead of STK600 graduate Federico Caricasulo (Bardahl Evan Bros Honda Racing CBR600RR). Earning the final podium was Tribeca Racing Yamaha YZF-R6 pilot and wildcard entry Anthony West.The sole American in World Supersport – Honda World Supersport Team’s PJ Jacobsen – finished fifth, 3.2 seconds off the top time.Randy Krummenacher says: “It was really a special race because the conditions were different to anything before, any practice and any testing. At the beginning it was quite ‘hot’ because it was a big group and I think everybody tried to pass us. They were all looking for the Kawasakis.“It made it really hard but when it started to rain a bit they were all a bit more scared than me and I went a bit away from the pack and behind Kenan. Then I made my best lap times. I did not expect that Kenan would crash, so I am very sorry for him. Then it was clear I had to bring it to the finish line and it was really hard because there was proper rain in some areas. I had to push or the others would have been coming but when I went over Lukey Heights I saw I had a big gap. I just had to manage the last two corners to bring it home. It feels great to win, unbelievable.”Honda’s PJ JacobsenWhen Phillip Island Supersport began, Sofouglu, who earned the first Superpole in the history of World Supersport, began behind Jacobsen. The Turkish rider battled with Krummenacher and Caricasulo, and these three broke away from the remaining riders.The Australian West was soon battling with the lead group, as did MV Agusta pilot Jules Cluzel. But on lap nine, Cluzel, who returns from injury that paused his 2015 WSS season, ran into the gravel, leaving Sofuoglu and West to battle up front.As rain began to fall, Sofuoglu extended his lead, and West dropped behind Krummenacher. When Sofuoglu crashed, Krummenacher was left out front alone, able to earn his first win.West and Caricasulo went head-to-head, and it wasn’t decided until the checkered flag. After taking the slipstream from West, Caricasulo was able to finish a mere 0.014 of a second ahead of West to earn runner-up.Fourth went to Team GoEleven Kawasaki’s C. Gamarino, who finished just ahead of Jacobsen.The action no breaks for two weeks ahead of round 2 of 14 at Chang International Circuit in Buriram, Thailand. Krummenacher has the lead, but his teammate will certainly seek redemption.
