The two leaders of the Supersport World Championship each experienced their share of problems during Superpole 2, when Kenan Sofuoglu (first in the standings with 145 points) fell heavily, while Lucas Mahias (second with 141) was the victim of a technical problem which only allowed him to achieve the twelfth and final time, 6 seconds behind the first.
Five minutes after the start of the session, when he had just completed his second lap, Lucas Mahias broke down before having time to set a good time. Six minutes later, the session was stopped with a red flag after Kenan Sofuoglu fell violently. He had just achieved the third time.
Mahias did not have time to leave, his mechanics not having had the opportunity to repair his R6. Sofuoglu was taken by ambulance to the medical headquarters, then from there to Nevers hospital where doctors diagnosed three pelvic fractures. He is preparing to head to Turkey to undergo an operation. Sofuoglu was declared unfit to race shortly after 15 p.m. by the organization's Medical Director.
Niki Tuuli (Kallio Racing) set the best time ahead of Sheridan Morais (Kallio Racing), Kenan Sofuoglu (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing), Federico Caricasulo (GRT Yamaha Official WorldSSP Team), Gino Rea (Team Kawasaki Go Eleven) and Kazuki Watanabe (Team Kawasaki Go Eleven).
Jules Cluzel (CIA Landlord Insurance Honda) qualified seventh ahead of his teammate Christoffer Bergman, but will start from the second row thanks to Sofuoglu's withdrawal. PJ Jacobsen (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) ninth preceded Alessandro Zaccone (MV Agusta Reparto Corse), Michael Canducci (Puccetti Racing Junior Team FMI) and Lucas Mahias (GRT Yamaha Official WorldSSP Team).
To Lucas Mahias : " The day turned out to be complicated, as is often the case on a wet track at Magny-Cours. I got trapped at the last turn (in FP3, editor’s note) and I was hit in the wrist. So I had to apply ice and spent a few moments getting a massage. The start of qualifying was OK, then my engine broke. I didn't come here to be in twelfth row and I think the first row was possible. It's never easy to be so far back on the grid in Supersport, but I'll try to get a good start. After the first day, I know I have the pace to win in the dry. We will notify tomorrow. Regarding Kenan's fall, I don't care about it and don't pay attention to others. I feel sorry for him if he doesn't race on Sunday. We've all had bad luck this year. In any case, the Championship is not over yet. »
According to Jules cluzel, « It was a good day, we deserved better than seventh place, because I stopped in the pits to change tires. I decided to fit a new tire at the last minute with the better track conditions, but Kenan crashed. It seemed important because we had the red flag and he was injured. It's a shame, but we hope for a good recovery for him. For us today it's like this, it could have been better if I could have had a lap at the end, but the most important thing is to be at the front tomorrow. »
Superpole results (thanks to crash.net):
- Niki Tuuli FIN Kallio Racing Yamaha YZF-R6 1m 43.833s
- Sheridan Morais RSA Kallio Racing Yamaha YZF-R6 1m 43.985s
- Kenan Sofuoglu TUR Kawasaki Puccetti Racing ZX-6R 1m 43.994s
- Federico Caricasulo ITA GRT Yamaha YZF-R6 1m 44.105s
- Gino Rea GBR Team Go Eleven Kawasaki ZX-6R 1m 44.998s
- Kazuki Watanabe JPN Team Go Eleven Kawasaki ZX-6R 1m 45.346s
- Jules Cluzel FRA CIA Landlord Insurance Honda CBR600RR 1m 46.029s
- Christoffer Bergman SWE CIA Landlord Insurance Honda CBR600RR 1m 46.455s
- PJ Jacobsen USA MV Agusta Reparto Corse F3 675 1m 46.749s
- Alessandro Zaccone ITA MV Agusta Reparto Corse F3 675 1m 49.248s
- Michael Canducci ITA Puccetti Junior Team Kawasaki ZX-6R 1m 49.301s
- Lucas Mahias FRA GRT Yamaha YZF-R6 1m 49.824s
Supersport race Sunday at 11:30 a.m.
Photo: The fall of Kenan Sofuoglu this Saturday at Magny-Cours (© worldsbk.com)
