SBK
SS Donington: Sofouglu leads Supersport riders into another new dimension
29 marzo 2007
An unlucky and occasionally dramatic start to the season by 2005 and 2006 champion for Honda, Sebastien Charpentier (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda CBR600RR), sees the most successful Supersport rider ever languishing in ninth place at present. The obvious talent and determination that characterised his 2006 championship push are, however, expected to propel him upwards at the very next opportunity. Riding a 2006-specification CBR600RR Lorenzo Alfonsi (Althea Honda Team CBR600RR) will be racing at Donington Park for the first time in any form of competition. His excellent start to his 2007 campaign has nonetheless netted him a top ten race finish already, and he holds tenth in the overall rankings after two rounds. In 2001, the last time Donington was used for a World Supersport event, the very first CBR600RR was still under development, but since its appearance in World Supersport in 2003, all three model variants have been stunningly successful at garnering points and prizes. So much so that CBR600RR riders having won every World Supersport Riders’ Championship since 2003. As a complete novice to Donington Park, Sofuoglu is by no means alone in his inexperience in the Supersport pack heading to England this year, but few are as keen to get down to action as the remarkably talented Turkish rider. “I am so happy with the way things have gone so far and I’d like to thank the team for getting the bike to such a high standard,” said Sofuoglu. “I was so happy to get two podium finishes, but I am trying to look forward to the race ahead because you can’t take anything for granted. I have never ridden at Donington Park before so I can’t wait to get to grips with the circuit.” Charpentier is aware that a good result at Donington has now become a necessity, but he also knows that few will enter the latest fray in such good shape as he and his team. “It’s been a difficult start for me,” admitted Charpentier, “However the team has worked really hard on the development of the new bike so there is no reason why I shouldn’t be back at the top for Donington. I’m more than ready for the next race.” Fujiwara has been a revelation all over again this season, and is happy to go to Donington after a positive recent test at Valencia. "We had a good test in preparation for Donington, and we were able to experiment with the suspension a little bit and that was very useful,” said ‘Kats’. “I have been to Donington three times in the past, on Superbike and Supersport bikes, so I don’t think it will be too difficult to re-learn. The start to our season has been very good so far and I want to make it even better this weekend.” Alfonsi has scored strong points in races so far, in what is his first full Honda season in WSS racing. For Donington, he is equally happy to have tested only a few days before he heads off to England. “Donington is an all-new track for me, but I spoke with some other riders and they say it is not such a difficult track in some parts, tricky in others,” stated the former European Superstock 1000cc champion. “The only thing is the weather but our recent test in Valencia was a good preparation for us and my feeling with the bike was good again." After the Donington race, Valencia in Spain is the venue for round four on March 15 and Assen takes an unseasonably early slot in the calendar this year, on Sunday April 29. |
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