WSS: Top Man Sofuoglu Makes It Six Superpoles
Gordon Ritchie | October 1, 2016
Four-time WorldSSP champion Kenan Sofuoglu (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) took another step toward title number five with a dominant pole position in the last pre-race qualifying session at Magny Cours in France. It was his sixth pole position if the year.
He was already on the front row but pushed on again late in the session to take an advantage in damp conditions, relegating PJ Jacobsen (Honda World Supersport Team) to second place. The last spot on the front row for Sunday’s race was scooped up by wet weather expert and former works Ducati WorldSBK rider, Ayrton Badovini (GEMAR Balloons – Team Lorini Honda).
British rider Gino Rea (GRT Racing Team MV Agusta) was a determined fourth, one place ahead of local hero from the factory MV squad, Jules Cluzel (MV Agusta Reparto Corse).
Best ESS rider, who rides at only the European rounds, was Ukraine’s Illia Mikhalchik (DS Junior Team Kawasaki) in sixth.
Lausitz podium sensation Niki Tulli (Kallio racing Yamaha) placed seventh, one up on regular competitor Christian Gamarino (Team GOELEVEN Kawasaki).
Two ESS riders, Alessandro Zaccone (San Carlo Team Italia Kawasaki) and Axel Bassani (San Carlo Team Italia Kawasaki) completed the top ten.
Randy Krummenacher (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) was only 11th, after suffering a technical issue in the second Superpole session.