Portimao World Supersport: Kenan Sofuoglu dominates to take win

2007 World Supersport champion Kenan Sofuoglu marked his return to World Supersport in spectacular fashion by taking a dominating win at Portimao.

Sofuoglu took the lead in to the first corner, but on the first lap got pushed back to sixth as he adapted to the aggresive nature of supersport racing compared to World Superbikes.

At the front, newly crowned champion Andrew Pitt, Barry Veneman and Joan Lascorz were all challenging for the lead, with Veneman looking like he could take the win at one stage after opening up a lead from the rest of the pack.

The scrap at the front enabled American Josh Hayes to catch up to the leaders and challenge for the front, with Sofuoglu in hot pursuit.

On lap eight Joan Lascorz ran wide and went on to the astro turf, rejoining in sixth. This gave Sofuoglu plenty of room to move up to third. On lap 10 Barry Veneman crashed out of the lead handing the lead to Sofuoglu.

On lap nine, Sofuoglu re-took the lead on the start finish straight while appearing to attempt to punch Josh Hayes for an earlier move the American made on Sofuoglu.

Once at the front Sofuoglu stretched out a commanding lead, with lap times close to the lap times seen in the first superbike race.

Lascorz and Hayes enjoyed a battle for the final step of the podium, with Joan Lascorz eventually taking third place. Josh Brookes finished 11th, meaning Jonathan Rea keeps second place in the championship.

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