Sofuoglu dominates final Supersport testing

Former WSS champion Kenan Sofuoglu has dominated the final pre-season World Supersport test session, finishing 0.2 seconds ahead of British Superbike podium finisher American PJ Jacobsen, who makes his debut in the class this weekend.

The Turk set his fastest lap of the two-day test in the very first session, and although unable to improve, was able to remain unassailable over the other three sessions.

Pata Honda rider Michael van der Mark was third, ahead of returning WSS rider Jules Cluzel, who showed early form to finish fourth on the Yakhnich MV Agusta package.

Kenan Sofuoglu: “It looks like we are in quite good shape and I have good experience of Phillip Island. In the WSS class the key is to make your tyre run for full race distance.

“Since we first arrived yesterday my speed was already very fast, so I was focused today to make a long run with the tyres and today in the afternoon I found the pace I wanted. I did not try to improve my lap time or try and set a 1’32. I think I will focus on being faster once we get to the race weekend.”

“We have changed the bike a little bit from last year, on the suspension for example, and it looks like it is quite good. My team is improved because there is more experience in the team now.

“They did a very good job at these tests but I cannot say we touched the bike too much. If everything carries on in a good way we can fight for the win.”

1. Sofuoglu (Kawasaki) 1’33.506
2. Jacobsen (Kawasaki) 1’33.787
3. Vd Mark (Honda) 1’33.918
4. Cluzel (MV Agusta) 1’33.984
5. Wilairot (Honda) 1’33.987
6. Coghlan (Yamaha) 1’34.072
7. Menghi (Yamaha) 1’34.233
8. Leonov (MV Agusta) 1’34.295
9. Tamburini (Kawasaki) 1’34.301
10. Kennedy (Honda) 1’34.393
11. Russo (Honda) 1’34.550
12. Zanetti (Honda) 1’34.591
13. Staring (Honda) 1’34.733
14. Marino (Kawasaki) 1’34.747
15. De Rosa (Honda) 1’34.834
18. Gowland (Triumph) 1’35.324
19. McConnell (Triumph) 1’35.351