Kenan Sofuoglu: Ninja champion and daredevil
This year, Kenan Sofuoglu managed to retain his crown in World Supersport. The fifth world title of the Turkish driver – a funny character! – naturally earned him congratulations from his employer Kawasaki, also titled.
With his 77 podiums – including 38 victories – in 115 starts, Kenan Sofuoglu has built the best track record in World Supersport history. Until this year however, and despite his four titles (and on Honda, and on Kawasaki), the Turkish rider had never achieved national: keep his number 1 plate … It is now done. !
After a missed opening – -, Kenan masterfully dominated the 2016 season: the Ninja climbed on eight podiums in ten races … including six times on the top step. It’s quite simple: we hadn’t seen the n ° 54 "Number One" in great shape since his first coronation !
"Kenan hoped to win the title (his fifth therefore, Editor’s note) by a victory in the previous round in France, but he fell while he was in the lead", relates Kawasaki, naturally very proud of his pilot and perfectly inclined to erase his few blunders – like that of – or his sometimes too muscular attacks.
The Turkish pilot does not hide his daredevil, even whimsical side, whether on the track or off … Besides his performed on the largest bridge in Turkey – not even afraid of guardrails! -, the Turkish pilot distinguished himself this summer by performing a – in slippers and without gloves, the villain -, or by jumping in a swimming pool …! A little "keke" the Kenan ?
Kenan, one hell of a character
To those who consider him to be unconscious or brainless, Sofuoglu fans will retort that on the contrary, their idol knows the value of life all too well: two of his brothers died – one on the road. in 2002, the other on the circuit in 2008 – and he lost his first four-month-old boy last year … his second was present by his side on Sunday.
In addition, the Supersport "Number One" works considerably for the influence of Turkey in the motorcycle world, piling up world titles on the one hand and putting the boot at the footstool of young compatriots – like – of the other. Conversely, he wishes to develop the practice of sports motorcycles in his country by building his own circuit. !
Last weekend when he arrived in Spain, the quadruple champion had his head firmly anchored on his shoulders and his ideas very clear: "his wish was to secure his title via the round of this weekend, which he accomplished masterfully with this victory in front of Nikki Tulli and Kyle Smith ", recalls his team.
"Kawasaki is also securing the constructors’ championship after Sofuoglu’s sixth victory this season," said the Akashi Greens, who left Jerez with a total of 244 points, 48 more than Honda and 57 more than MV Agusta, while it remains to play the final "by night" qatari.
Next season, Kenan Sofuoglu will compete in the Supersport World Championship again, along with the Kawasaki Pucetti team. But the Ninja ensures that his approach will not be the same … "With this fifth title, I reached the goal of my career", he estimated on his arrival in the parc ferme Sunday noon. "From now on, I will only ride a motorcycle for the pleasure it gives me." At just 32 years old, Kenan still has many good years ahead of him: you just have to see Rossi to be convinced !
Statements
Kenan Sofuoglu, World Supersport n ° 1 (x5!):
"I am so proud to have won my fifth title and I have to say a big thank you to Kawasaki. A few years ago they gave me good equipment and a lot of support. Since then I have enjoyed racing much more. Then two years ago I found out and today I win my second title in a row. That achievement is incredible, and we have won a lot of races. At the start of this season, I didn’t know what would happen. Finally, we win the championship one race before the end ".
“Running is not difficult, but fighting for championships is. That’s what I said to myself today when I saw that Randy had fallen. As I was already champion, I could try to win racing. My dream was to do it at Magny-Cours, but I achieved it here in Jerez. Luck was with me today and, thanks to our great potential and good performances, we won the title ".
Steve Guttridge, Kawasaki Europe Racing manager:
“Kenan winning one more Supersport title for Kawasaki among the Kawasaki Puccetti Racing Team is a dream come true. He has been through very difficult times but remains a true professional, with unparalleled determination to reach his goal. Once again, Kawasaki’s congratulations go out to Kenan and his team for a fabulous season ".
Shigemi Tanaka, Kawasaki Europe:
"It is very important and gratifying for us at KHI to see Kawasaki win, like last season, the constructors‘ titles in WorldSBK and WorldSSP, thus highlighting the excellence of Kawasaki Heavy Industries products as both championships are based on factory motorcycles, derived from the series ".
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