Supersport Vallelunga: Kenan Sofuoglu still hungry despite Champion status

Kenan Sofuoglu (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda CBR600RR) has already been crowned the World
Champion of 2007 in the World Supersport class, but despite all his success so far he is determined to sign off the season with a flourish, beginning at the new-to-WSS circuit of Vallelunga, near Rome.

The 4.110km track includes both fast and very slow sections, each of which promise close action between all the top players in the series. Pitted against a field of riders still fighting for overall season-ending position, many of whom are proven race winners on their day, Sofuoglu is still ravenous for more silverware in the last two races.

He has already amassed six wins and four other podium finishes this year, not to mention four poles. Such has been his pace in qualifying that he has finished on the front row of every single race so far. His lead is currently 100 points, from French rider Fabien Foret.

Sebastien Charpentier (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda CBR600RR) has had little fortune in race trim this year, with his often untouchable pace sometimes melting as races draw to a conclusion. His best finish is fourth, despite starting from the front row seven times, and taking three poles, two in succession at the most recent races. The double champion for Honda, in 2005 and 2006, approaches the final two races with one clear goal in mind - to finish the season on a high note.

Katsuaki Fujiwara (Althea Honda Team CBR600RR) lost the third place he had been occupying for some time after a retirement due to injury during the Lausitz race three weeks ago, but he comes back to the fray once more at Vallelunga, fully ready to reclaim his top three status.

Lorenzo Alfonsi (Althea Honda Team CBR600RR) is another rider who suffered somewhat in the final round, but the Italian rider is more than ready to come out with all guns blazing to blast himself back into the top ten. He is currently 11th in the standings, one point and one place ahead of Charpentier.

Sofuoglu's enthusiasm for riding and competition has not abated at all after his championship win and indeed, like the champion he is, it seems only going for every victory will truly suffice.

"I can't wait for this weekend," enthused Sofuoglu in the run-up to the final Italian race of the season. "I feel like I have something to prove after Lausitz. I really wanted to win there and I tried my best but it didn't work out. This weekend I am so determined and I really want to win the race. These could be my last two races in Supersport and I want to go out on top. My ambition is to get at least two podium finishes, but of course, I want the victories!"

Charpentier's Vallelunga motivation is driven not only by his pride and professionalism, but also by the knowledge that his speed is still such that he can win if things work out in a real race setting.

"I was disappointed at Lausitz," said Charpentier, who led the German race for a time. "Qualifying went really well and I was on pole position, but immediately the grip on the tyre began to go and I couldn't push as hard as I wanted to. It's been a tough season, but I'm still determined to finish it with a successful race. The team is working really hard to solve the problems and I am confident we can end on a good note."

Fujiwara seeks to grab as many points as possible at Vallelunga, especially as he was forced out of the previous race with a foot and ankle injury

"I wanted to finish the race in Lausitz no matter what but the pain was so bad I really had to stop," said 'Kats'. "I will see how it goes at Vallelunga but I absolutely want to be able to attack and reach the podium."

Alfonsi is another hoping to make up for the disappointment of his most recent race finish.

"It will be good to be back at Vallelunga," said Alfonsi. "I was ready for a good finish in the last rounds until another rider caused me to go off, just as I was setting consistent and fast lap times."