SBK
Supersport: Sofuoglu second after close Lausitz race result
10 settembre 2007
Second again in qualifying, Sofuoglu provided great entertainment for the German crowd on a day that dawned blissfully dry, after a wet final qualifying session on Saturday. Sofuoglu also scored a new lap record, on lap six, with a time of 1’41.946s. Sofuoglu’s 20 points from Lausitz ensure that Honda has now taken the Manufacturers’ Championship, now having an advantage of 51 points over the next closest manufacturer, with two races to go. Sofuoglu now leads the championship he has already won by a margin of 100 points, from Lausitz non-finisher Fabien Foret, as Parkes moved into third place, on 87 points. Sebastien Charpentier (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda CBR600RR) looked set for a podium but reduced rear tyre traction from five laps into the race dropped him from the lead at one stage to an eventual ninth. He was particularly disappointed, as he had qualified on pole for the second successive meeting. Katsuaki Fujiwara (Althea Honda Team CBR600RR) retired from the race on lap ten, and his teammate Lorenzo Alfonsi (Althea Honda Team CBR600RR) fell on lap 20. Winning at Lausitz was high on Sofuoglu’s list of priorities, despite his recent championship success. “For me it was really important to win this race because I won here last year and also because I am the champion now, I feel that I should prove myself by winning,” said Kenan. “Broc Parkes was really strong today and I know that his bike is good around here. I fought with him for the entire 23-laps and it was not easy, but there is only so much you can do without losing the grip in the rear and in the front. He managed to get past me and by the final lap I knew there was nothing more I could do to catch him. Anyway, I put in 100% here so I know that at Vallelunga and Magny-Cours I will put in 130% - because I really want to win those races!” Charpentier was desolate at his misfortune, and he is now 12th overall, on 44 points. “After a few laps, about five, my rear grip just started to go and from then until the end I was fighting all the way,” said Charpentier. “I have a new gearbox spec coming for Vallelunga because I feel right now that I am always between gears in the slower corners, so I hope that can let me get full confidence and make the most of what is a very good bike.” Fujiwara had some bad luck on race day, when a crash he experienced on Saturday, in wet conditions, broke two small bones in is left ankle. He gallantly attempted to race, as he had qualified in fourth place on the grid, but after dropping out of the points his team signalled him into the box to retire. He lost third place in the championship due to his DNF, and is now fourth. “The problem was that my injury was to my left ankle,” said Fujiwara. “That made gear changing very difficult. The team decided to bring me in to the pit box when I was no longer in the points. I also had a injury to my right leg, just from the impact of the crash, so it was an uncomfortable race for me.” Alfonsi, who had qualified 22nd, was up to 12th at one point, but after a near collision with another rider he lost the back end as he tried to keep the power on, while running just off the ideal line. He is now 11th overall, with 45 points. “It was a pity because after losing the final day of qualifying because of rain I was making real progress in the race,” said Alfonsi. “I almost touched with Gianluca Nannelli and that meant I was off line. I tried very hard to recover but the rear end just came around on me.” |
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