In motorcycle racing, nothing is ever a given and the best omens can sometimes turn into great disappointments. Can Öncü thus went from being a possible sensation in the Grand Prix world to anonymity in one year. In 2018, in fact, he emerged winner of the Red Bull Rookies Cup and appeared in the big leagues as a guest at the last meeting in Valencia. A successful participation since the Turk won the victory, becoming the youngest driver in history to have achieved this. A lot was expected of him this year within the posh Ajo Red Bull KTM team. And everyone fell from a height...
Can Öncü became a Grand Prix winner very quickly and very early, but his trajectory in the paddock was that of a meteorite. After a full season which was his first, the Turk only claims eight points scored. Without proposals for 2019, he turned to his elder, compatriot and national motorcycle hero Kenan Sofuoglu to bounce back. A plan which was implemented in the favorite category of the one who has won five crowns there: Supersport.
An alternative route which is in no way a side route. Kenan Sofuoglu thus delivers his road map for the young protégé: “ My first choice is to bring it to World Supersport and make it a champion. I already trust him to achieve this goal in his second season. He could then be part of the Moto2 World Championship or enter the Superbike World Championship in a good team, like Toprak Razgatlioglu does. From there he could move up to the MotoGP class, that's my plan for Can. »
The trajectory will be original, but the Turk is 16 years old and therefore has time ahead of him: “ I am delighted to be able to participate in the World Supersport Championship with the Turkish Racing Team ", commented Öncü. “ My thanks go to Kenan Sofuoglu, Manuel Puccetti, the Turkish Motorcycle Federation and sponsor Red Bull, who are all doing their part. I can't wait to meet my team. And the bike – I’ve never ridden a 600. My goal is to become the youngest driver to win the Supersport World Championship. The first year will be that of apprenticeship, then I will consider the title. »
While Can gets acquainted with the Kawasaki ZX-6R, his brother Sea Defence will start for a full season in Moto3 within the new team Red Bull Tech3 KTM who, coming from Moto2, will discover the category.
