Sofuoglu Quickest, Jacobsen 6th In Second World Supersport Practice In Australia (Updated)

Sofuoglu Quickest, Jacobsen 6th In Second World Supersport Practice In Australia (Updated)

© 2014, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

FIM Supersport World Championship

Phillip Island, Victoria, Australia

February 21, 2014

Free Practice Two Results (all on Pirelli tires):

1. Kenan SOFUOGLU, Turkey (Kawasaki ZX-6R), 1:33.618

2. Kevin COGHLAN, UK (Yamaha YZF-R6), 1:34.263

3. Raffaele DE ROSA, Italy (Honda CBR600RR), 1:34.277

4. Michael VD MARK, Netherlands (Honda CBR600RR), 1:34.294. crash

5. Jules CLUZEL, France (MV Agusta F3 675), 1:34.337

6. PJ JACOBSEN, USA (Kawasaki ZX-6R), 1:34.366, crash

7. Rathapark WILAIROT, Thailand (Honda CBR600RR), 1:34.526

8. Florian MARINO, France (Kawasaki ZX-6R), 1:34.721

9. Roberto TAMBURINI, Italy (Kawasaki ZX-6R), 1:34.729

10. Vladimir LEONOV, Russia (MV Agusta F3 675), 1:34.833

11. Fabio MENGHI, Italy (Yamaha YZF-R6), 1:34.854, crash

12. Kevin WAHR, Germany (Yamaha YZF-R6), 1:35.072, crash

13. Bryan STARING, Australia (Honda CBR600RR), 1:35.109, crash

14. Lorenzo ZANETTI, Italy (Honda CBR600RR), 1:35.140

15. Graeme GOWLAND, UK (Triumph Daytona 675R), 1:35.195

16. Billy McCONNELL, Australia (Triumph Daytona 675R), 1:35.237

17. Riccardo RUSSO, Italy (Honda CBR600RR), 1:35.992

18. Tony COVEÑA, Netherlands (Kawasaki ZX-6R), 1:36.148

19. Roberto ROLFO, Italy (Kawasaki ZX-6R), 1:36.318

20. Christian GAMARINO, Italy (Kawasaki ZX-6R), 1:36.617

More, from a press release issued by WSBK Dorna Press Office:

After the poor conditions of the first free practice, the weather conditions had improved considerably by the early afternoon at Phillip Island, allowing World Supersport riders to take to the track and get up to speed in today’s second session. The protagonists of the series did not waste any time in finding their rhythm in almost perfect conditions, with three time WSS Champion Kenan Sofuoglu (Mahi Racing Team India Kawasaki) setting the pace throughout the 45 minutes. The Turk suffered a technical problem down the main straight in the late stages, but the 1’33.618 lap time was quick enough for him to keep the top spot.

Scotsman Kev Coghlan (DMC-Panavto Yamaha) showed good form aboard his YZF-R6 as he claimed second place ahead of Core PTR Honda’s Raffaele De Rosa, who impressed by climbing the timesheets in the final minutes.

Fourth place Michael van der Mark (Pata Honda World Supersport) found himself on the gravel after crashing out of turn 9, whilst trying to elevate himself to first. Because of the fall and the damage done to his bike, the young Dutchman lost some precious time, but managed to return to the track with seven minutes left before the chequered flag, although was unable to better the lap he had set before the crash.

Returning WSS rider Jules Cluzel (MV Agusta RC – Yakhnich Motorsport) continued his adaptation to the F3 675 as he ended up fifth, whilst sixth place PJ Jacobsen (Intermoto Ponyexpres Kawasaki) missed the chance for a top 3 finish as he crashed unhurt at turn 11 towards the end of the session. Other late crashers Fabio Menghi (VFT Yamaha), Kevin Wahr (RS Wahr by Kraus Racing Yamaha) and local rider Bryan Staring (Rivamoto Honda) ended up 11th,12th and 13th respectively, none of them hurt after falling.

Irishman Jack Kennedy (CIA Insurance Honda) did not get onto the track as he was declared unfit to ride.

More, from a press release issued by Pata Honda Supersport Team:


Van der Mark in World Supersport mix on day one

Pata Honda rider Michael van der Mark finished fourth in the second of today’s two World Supersport free practice sessions at Phillip Island in Australia with the pace being set by world champion Kenan Sofuoglu.

Hardly any riders took part in this morning’s opening practice session at the 4.445km circuit after morning showers left the track surface wet; revised regulations led to World Supersport teams opting to save their tyre allocation for later in the weekend when the weather is expected to improve.

With the circuit dry for this afternoon’s session, van der Mark was looking comfortable before a crash at Phillip Island’s Lukey Heights meant he was forced to return to his pitbox, losing almost half the 45-minute session while his crew repaired damage to his Honda CBR600RR machine.

His Pata Honda team-mate Lorenzo Zanetti suffered technical problems and also lost around 20 minutes, eventually finishing in 14th place.

Michael van der Mark – 4th, 1m34.294s

It was quite boring this morning and we didn’t go out in first practice because of the rain. The forecast is looking OK so we chose to save some tyre stickers. This afternoon the track was dry but the wind was in a different direction from the test earlier in the week, which made it a little difficult. My first few laps were quite OK and then, when I was on a fast lap, I missed a gear so I crashed at Lukey Heights. The guys were able to fix the bike really fast so could go out for the last 15 minutes but it’s difficult to be happy. The crash was for nothing and I’m not happy with the lap time. I hope that tomorrow we can improve some things on the setting and I can avoid any more stupid mistakes.

Lorenzo Zaneti – 14th, 1m35.140s

I’m a little bit disappointed because we missed the first practice this morning because the weather was pretty bad. This afternoon I had a problem with the bike from the first lap so I had to stay in the pitbox for half the session. When I got out again, the problem was not completely fixed and I couldn’t make a good lap time. Fortunately, it wasn’t a qualifying session today and I think we have seen where we had the problem. For tomorrow everything should be OK.

Ronald ten Kate – team manager

We just sat in the garage this morning so it all came down to this afternoon when the track was dry. Michael had set the second fastest time when he had a crash. He managed to return the bike and we were able to fix it but when he went out he was unable to improve his time. Fourth place is OK with a time that he did in the test, so it’s no big drama. We had some technical issues with Lorenzo’s bike which was not functioning correctly so we struggled a little and he ended up 14th, which is disappointing for him. We know he is faster than this so we need to improve the bike for him tomorrow.

More, from a press release issued by Core PTR Honda:

DE ROSA FRONT RUNNING IN PRACTICE

CORE’ PTR HONDA’S Raffaele De Rosa took a superb third place on the time sheets during today’s second dry free practice session for the opening round of the World Supersport Championship at Phillip Island in Australia.

Ratthapark Wilairot was an impressive seventh on his Core’ PTR Honda. With a damp morning session, the second dry practice set the pace of the day.

There is a single free practice session on Saturday, followed by qualification ahead of Sunday’s opening round of the World Supersport Championship at the Phillip Island circuit in Australia.

Raffaele: “We tried the new bigger tyre from Pirelli and I was able to quickly find a good setting and speed. I am very happy with this progress and think with the bike and myself we can improve more tomorrow.”

Ratthapark: “That was a good session and I am pleased with seventh. I used only one tyre the whole session so I can get to know it for race distance. I am happy and continue to learn and improve with my Core’ PTR Honda.”

Simon Buckmaster, Core’ PTR Honda Team Manager: “Raffaele was impressive in that session and made a big step forward in performance. We will be looking to build on that for tomorrow.

“Ratthapark was impressive only using one tyre for a race distance to finish seventh in the session and that puts him in very good shape for tomorrow.”

More, from a press release issued by CIA Insurance Honda:

KENNEDY RULED OUT OF OPENING ROUND

CIA INSURANCE HONDA’S Jack Kennedy was not permitted to ride by the doctors at the opening round of the World Supersport Championship at Phillip Island in Australia after a testing crash on Monday left him with a broken talus bone in his right ankle.

Kennedy has already had an operation and despite the pain, presented himself for a medical in a bid to race on Sunday with a view to scoring solid points. He now has plenty of time to make a full recovery ahead of the second round of the Championship at Aragon in Spain on April 13th.

Nacho Calero suffered a crash and despite getting back on track, only managed 21st position. CIA Insurance backed riders Raffaele De Rosa and Ratthapark Wilairot finished third and seventh on the day.

There is a single free practice session on Saturday, followed by qualification ahead of Sunday’s opening round of the World Supersport Championship at the Phillip Island circuit in Australia.

Jack: “I am gutted I cannot ride this weekend as I was prepared to give it a go. I think with the CIA Insurance Honda and the injury I could still have scored good points. But I respect the doctors and now I am putting all my energy into healing and will come out fighting at Aragon. Good luck to all three of the CIA Insurance backed lads in the race, I will be cheering them on.”

Nacho: “I am disappointed because after my crash I was a little shaken and lost some confidence. I know I can do better and will come back refreshed and attack the track tomorrow.”

Simon Buckmaster, CIA Insurance Honda Team Manager: “It is a real shame that Jack has not been passed fit to ride. Fortunately there is plenty of time for him to get better and he will be back stronger and more determined at the second round. His first test day performance shows he has the speed, bike and ability to challenge at the front this year and we look forward to achieving that together.

“Nacho crashed and despite being unhurt, afterwards he wasn’t able to recapture his opening day performance at the test. Tomorrow is another day though and he should take confidence from his testing performance and we aim to improve.”

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