Supersport in Misano: Sofuoglu narrowly beats Cluzel, while Mahias falls

Despite magnificent and fierce resistance from Jules Cluzel, Kenan Sofuoglu managed to win ahead of Jules, Federico Caricasulo, PJ Jacobsen, Kyle Smith and Gino Rea. Lucas Mahias fell without seriousness at the start of the race while he was fighting for victory, which allowed Sofuoglu to close to within 5 points of him in the Championship.

Kenan Sofuoglu started from pole position, with Jules Cluzel and Federico Caricasulo alongside him on the front row. In second place were Lucas Mahias, Christian Gamarino and Luke Stapleford. They preceded Sheridan Morais, PJ Jacobsen and Kyle Smith in third. On Sunday morning, Mahias was the fastest in the warm up, ahead of Sofuoglu and Stapleford.

Lucas Mahias started in the lead, then was overtaken by Kenan Sofuoglu.

Unfortunately, Championship leader Lucas Mahias fell shortly after.

Eight drivers were eliminated at the very start of the race: Mahias, Stirpe, Gamarino, Epis, Tuuli, Khairuddin, Cresson and Mulhauser.

Sofuoglu was fighting at the front with Cluzel and Caricasulo. Jacobsen followed at 2.6 and Stapleford at 5.5. Cluzel took first place from Sofuoglu, while Stapleford fell without seriousness. Cluzel and Sofuoglu were 0.9 ahead of Caricasulo at halfway, 2.7 ahead of Jacobsen and 9.1 ahead of Smith.

Cluzel retained the lead, but was closely held by Sofuoglu 7 laps from the checkered flag. Kenan briefly overtook Jules, but the Frenchman quickly regained the advantage. Caricasulo lost a little ground, 1.5 behind Cluzel and Sofuoglu who engaged in a superb fight, overtaking each other several times.

Sofuoglu had a 0.5 lead over Cluzel entering the penultimate lap. Caricasulo was at 3.6 and Jacobsen was at 5.2. At the start of the last lap, Jules was 0.4 behind Kenan.

Kenan Sofuoglu won ahead of Jules Cluzel, Federico Caricasulo, PJ Jacobsen, Kyle Smith and Gino Rea.

Race results:

Provisional ranking of the World Championship:

1. LUCAS MAHIAS 105 YAMAHA
2. KENAN SOFUOGLU 100 KAWASAKI
3. SHERIDAN MORAIS 76 YAMAHA
4. JULES CLUZEL 75 HONDA
5. PJ JACOBSEN 68 MV AGUSTA
6. FEDERICO CARICASULO 51 YAMAHA
7. ROBERTO ROLFO 43 MV AGUSTA
8. KYLE RYDE 43 KAWASAKI
9. ANTHONY WEST 38 YAMAHA
10. KYLE SMITH 35

Photo © Kawasaki