Kawasaki SSP Weltmeister 2012

Kenan Sofuoglu (Kawasaki Lorenzini) sichert sich den Titel in der FIM Supersport World Championship in Portimao mit einem sicheren zweiten Platz - nur 0.645 Sekunden von einem weiteren Rennsieg entfernt.

Das 20-Runden Rennen auf der portugiesischen Rennstrecke war spannungsgeladen bis zum Schluss. Die Führungsgruppe bestand aus bis zu 5 Fahrern. Kenan Sofuoglu konnte sein Rennen ruhig angehen - sein Ziel war es, auf einem der vorderen Plätze zu landen um den Weltmeistertitel zu fixieren und ging deshalb kein Risiko mehr ein um dem Gewinner Jules Cluzel die Führung noch abzuknöpfen.

Kenan ist der erfolgreichste Fahrer in der Geschichte der WSS. Gemeinsam mit dem Kawasaki Lorenzini Team und seiner Ninja ZX-6R war er die ganze Saison über ein Titelkandidat. Neben Andrew Pitt hat auch Kenan Sofuoglu den WSS Weltmeistertitel auf eienr Kawasaki Ninja eingefahren.

Seine Karriere-Statistiken sind überwältigend: 3 Weltmeistertitel (2007, 2010 und 2012), 48 Podiums aus 68 Rennen und 21 Rennsiege. Vier dieser Rennsiege und neun Podiums alleine in seinem ersten Jahr als Kawasaki Fahrer.

Kenan Sofuoglu: “We knew that we did not have to come to Portugal to win the race to win the title. We had a few problems with set-up yesterday but we were in good shape today and I could take the lead. I made some mistakes and dropped back. I knew I only had to finish fourth but in the last couple of laps I thought I would try to take a podium so I finished second. Sometimes in the race I was thinking that I was already going to be World Champion, so I was asking myself why I had to take more risk, so I was careful, especially on the last lap not to attack Cluzel in the lead. It was great to win the title with Kawasaki but it has not been an easy year for us. I have had some problems with my knee injury but we won the title with one race to spare and I am very happy to have done it with Kawasaki. They gave me a good opportunity to win the title with them and finally I was able to give them the answer, so big thanks to them. I am very happy for them and Lorenzini. It is difficult to compare championships with each other but at one point this season I was very afraid because I had some bad luck but the last couple of races I knew could win the title without any mistakes in the final rounds. WIinning races brings me confidence. To win the title in the first year with Kawasaki makes me very happy.”

• Kawasaki Motorräder

Text: 1000ps
Fotos: Kawasaki