After no scoring in the first round of the year and overcoming the early set-up issues he experienced with his machine at this round Kenan is now fourth in the world championship, only six behind the lead after two rounds. Marino is second overall, just two points from the leading after scoring his first podium of the season today.
Roberto Tamburini (San Carlo Puccetti Racing) placed seventh in the Motorland race, held in warm and sunny conditions, while Patrick Jacobsen (Kawasaki Intermoto Ponyexpres) was an early force but he dropped back on a couple of occasions, finishing 14th and scoring two points. Christian Gamarino (Kawasaki Team Go Eleven) placed ninth and his team-mate Roberto Rolfo (Kawasaki Team Go Eleven) 12th. Tony Covena (Kawasaki Ponyexpres Intermoto) was 17th, just out of the points.
Kenan Sofuoglu: “In the beginning of the weekend we had so many problems but I found out my real speed this morning in the warm up. I knew I would be ready to fight in the race. When we started the race everybody was doing incredible attacks under braking. Going into the hairpin I watched them and I was just scared, so I took it easy. Before reaching the last five laps I thought would wait because I thought somebody would crash with all the big overtakes going on. When it did not happen and we got to the last five laps I thought I should go. Then one of them made a mistake, which I was expecting. When two of the other riders collided and crashed it made it easier for me as I did not have to pass them and I could control the race. The team, my suspension man, my mechanic, crew chief, they all worked really hard, so a big thanks to them. Also to the people around me, who really support me to win this race. Thanks to everybody who helped me to win today because I really needed it.”
SBK Evo Kawasaki Riders
As well as the official KRT SBK Evo rider David Salom, who finished 13th and 10th at Motorland Aragon, a host of top Kawasaki Evo riders competed for points again. In race one Jeremy Guarnoni (MRS Kawasaki) was in 14th place and Sheridan Morais (Iron Brain Kawasaki SBK Team) scored the final point on offer for 15th. In the second race, Morais was 13th and Luca Scassa (Kawasaki Team Pedercini) 14th. Fabien Foret (Kawasaki Mahi Racing Team India) recovered from a race one no-score to finish 15th in race two.
Michel Fabrizio (Iron Brain Kawasaki SBK Team) was unable to finish either race while rookie rider Alessandro Andreozzi (Kawasaki Team Pedercini) placed 19th and 16th today, just missing out on a point in race two.
Superstock 1000 FIM Cup
Lorenzo Savadori (Kawasaki Team Pedercini) took a clear second place finish in the first Superstock 1000 FIM Cup race of the year and he now sits in the corresponding second place in the championship rankings. In fourth spot, Christoffer Bergman (BWG Racing Kawasaki) was next best Ninja ZX-10R rider, with Matthieu Lussiana (Kawasaki Team Garnier by Aspi), Simone Grotzkyj (Kawasaki Team Pedercini), David McFadden (MRS Kawasaki), Kevin Valk (MTM Racing Kawasaki) and Romain Lanusse (Team Pedercini Kawasaki) filling the finishing positions from sixth to tenth.