Kenan Sofuoglu won his first race of the year at Assen, ahead of Lucas Mahias and Jules Cluzel who fought for second position until the end. With his third podium of the season, Lucas Mahias retained the lead in the World Championship.
Kenan Sofuoglu (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) started from pole position in front PJ Jacobsen (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) and Michael Canducci (3570 Puccetti Racing FMI). We found on the second line Lucas Mahias (GRT Yamaha Official WorldSSP Team), Jules cluzel (CIA Landlord Insurance Honda) and Sheridan Morais (Kallio Racing). Appeared on the third Luke Stapleford (Profile Racing), Kyle Smith (GEMAR Team Lorini) and Federico Caricasulo (GRT Yamaha Official WorldSSP Team).
Kenan Sofuoglu was the fastest at the start ahead of Lucas Mahias, Sheridan Morais, Kyle Ryde and Jules Cluzel. Mahias held Sofuoglu closely so as not to let him escape. The two men were slightly behind Morais, Cluzel, Ryde, Caricasulo and Jacobsen. Despite his efforts, Sofuoglu was unable to outrun Mahias. Cluzel moved to third at 1.9 ahead of Morais and Caricasulo.
Sofuoglu set the best time in the race in 1'39.057 and trailed Mahias by 0.9. Cluzel at 1.9 widened a gap of 0.5 on Morais and 0.8 on Caricasulo. Sofuoglu increased his advantage to 1.7 over Mahias, 2.5 over Cluzel, 3.1 over Morais and 3.3 over Caricasulo 13 laps from the checkered flag.
Sofuoglu continued his forcing and preceded Mahias by 2.1, Cluzel by 2.5 and Morais by 2.7. Caricasulo fifth was at 4.6 alongside Jacobsen. Mahias went a little wide in a corner and was overtaken by Cluzel and Morais. He overtook Morais, but 0.7 behind Cluzel.
At halfway, Sofuoglu was 2.8 ahead of Cluzel, 3.7 ahead of Mahias and Morais, 4.3 ahead of Caricasulo, 4.9 ahead of Jacobsen and 5.4 ahead of Canducci. Mahias joined Cluzel for second position. He overtook him with 8 laps remaining.
3.2 behind Sofuoglu, Mahias and Cluzel were in a very good fight for second position, but Caricasulo, Morais and Jacobsen were not far away. There were 5 of them fighting for second position. Caricasulo passed Mahias for third place with 5 laps remaining. Mahias recovered third position behind Cluzel, then he overtook Jules.
Kenan Sofuoglu won the event ahead of Lucas Mahias, Jules Cluzel, PJ Jacobsen, Sheridan Morais and Federico Caricasulo. Mahias retained leadership of the World Championship.
Race results:
1 K. SOFUOGLU TUR Kawasaki Puccetti Racing Kawasaki ZX-6R 18 1'39.057
2 L. MAHIAS FRA GRT Yamaha Official WorldSSP Team Yamaha YZF R6 18 2.611
3 J. CLUZEL FRA CIA Landlord Insurance Honda Honda CBR600RR 18 2.616
4 P. JACOBSEN USA MV Agusta Reparto Corsica MV Agusta F3 675 18 4.127
5 S. MORAIS RSA Kallio Racing Yamaha YZF R6 18 4.706
6 F. CARICASULO ITA GRT Yamaha Official WorldSSP Team Yamaha YZF R6 18 4.941
7 M. CANDUCCI ITA 3570 Puccetti Racing FMI Kawasaki ZX-6R 18 7.664
8 L. STAPLEFORD GBR Profile Racing Triumph Daytona 675 18 11.993
9 C. GAMARINO ITA BARDAHL EVAN BROS. Honda Racing Honda CBR600RR 18 13.092
10 R. HARTOG NED Team Hartog – Jenik – Against Cancer Kawasaki ZX-6R ESS 18 13.226
11 K. SMITH GBR GEMAR Team Lorini Honda CBR600RR 18 13.767
12 K. RYDE GBR Kawasaki Puccetti Racing Kawasaki ZX-6R 18 14.339
13 P.M. SOOMER EST WILSport Racedays Honda CBR600RR ESS 18 19.373
14 A. WEST AUS EAB West Racing Yamaha YZF R6 18 20.205
15 R. ROLFO ITA Team Factory Vamag MV Agusta F3 675 18 21.359
Provisional ranking of the World Championship:
1 LUCAS MAHIAS 65 YAMAHA
2 SHERIDAN MORAIS 45 YAMAHA
3 ROBERTO ROLFO 41 MV AGUSTA
4 PJ JACOBSEN 39 MV AGUSTA
5 KYLE RYDE 36 KAWASAKI
6 FEDERICO CARICASULO 35 YAMAHA
7 JULES CLUZEL 29 HONDA
8 NIKI TUULI 27 YAMAHA
9 KENAN SOFUOGLU 25 KAWASAKI
10 MICHAEL CANDUCCI 22 KAWASAKI
