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Sofuoglu Comes Back In Winning Supersport Style
Issued 2nd November 2008
 The early return of 2007 World Supersport Champion Kenan Sofuoglu (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda CBR600RR) to the WSS paddock saw him make an immediate impact, winning the 20-lap race after taking pole position in qualifying.
The Turkish rider had been in the leading group in the early and middle parts of the race but towards the end he overtook three riders in one move going into turn one and eventually ran out the clear winner, 3.844 seconds ahead of Andrew Pitt (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda CBR600RR).
Pitt, the current WSS Champion, had also started off the front row, in fourth, and finishes his winning year with 214 points.
Despite not riding in the WSS class at this race, Jonathan Rea (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda CBR600RR) finished second overall in the series, 50 points behind Pitt, after Josh Brookes (Hannspree Stiggy Motorsports Honda CBR600RR) could only finish 11th in Portugal, after experiencing a loss of grip as the race progressed.
 He was therefore only two points behind Rea, and third overall.
Privateer Honda rider Joan Lascorz took the final podium place, just holding off Josh Hayes (Parkalgar Honda) in a thrilling late battle for the last piece of 2008 silverware.
Gianluca Nannelli (Hannspree Althea Honda CBR600RR) went sixth today after qualifying in fifth and fighting right to the finish line.
His team-mate Russell Holland (Hannspree Althea Honda CBR600RR) was only 14th, two places down on his qualifying position.
Robbin Harms (Hannspree Stiggy Motorsports Honda CBR600RR) fell out of contention today and finishes his up and down season ninth overall.
 Sofuoglu said: “It’s been a really nice weekend! I’ve already signed a contract to ride World Supersport with this amazing team next year, so this is a great way to start back on the CBR600RR."
"To be honest, I really didn’t expect to be on pole this weekend but, after yesterday, I just wanted to finish the race on the podium.”
“To take the win is an amazing way to finish a difficult year"
"Now I’m ready to make a really good job next season.”
Pitt said: “Johnny (Rea) has been a really tough opponent all season and, as soon as he goes, Kenan comes back with a performance like that!"
 "I was comfortable with the race, and the bike felt really good, so it’s a good way to finish when the big trophy is already in the cabinet.”
“I’m really happy for Kenan because it’s been a really tough season for him."
"But I can tell him it won’t be so easy next year!”
Brookes said: “I'm really happy to finish this season in third place, although today’s race wasn’t very good.”
“I didn’t get a good start and was blocked in by some riders on the first lap."
"I got into a good rhythm after a couple of laps and the bike felt OK, but not great.”
 “Pretty soon I felt my front tyre was getting worn out and just a few laps later that the same happened to the rear"
"I kept pushing, trying to keep my position, but it was just not possible.”
“It was not a good finish to a great season, but I'm happy and content with third place in the championship.”
Harms said: “I got a good start from 13th place on the grid and managed to move up some places on the first lap"
"I got in to a good race pace and fought my way up to seventh place.”
 “But it was really hard because it felt like I was on the limit all the time."
"I was battling for a top five finish but, as I went into a corner off throttle, the front tyre bounced and the bike slid away from me and I crashed.”
Nannelli said: “I’m pretty disappointed with today’s race.”
“I was very aggressive during the first laps trying to reach the leading group"
"Unfortunately, I made some small mistakes around the middle of the race and I lost contact with the first group of riders, also because of Veneman’s crash."
 "Near the end of the race my rear tyre started losing grip, I tried to move forward struggling against Parkes and I finished my race in sixth place.”
Holland said: “Starting from the third row was always going to be tough for these races."
"I made quite a good start but I did not have a good feeling with my front tyre and I was only able to keep my place."
"I’m not satisfied of the pace that I was able to hold up for the entire race, and of course I’m not pleased with my final position, but when I tried to overtake several riders I didn’t feel enough grip on the front.”
 Hayes said: “That was a great race and I am just disappointed that I didn’t get on the podium for the team or our main sponsor, the circuit"
"My Parkalgar Honda was real good and it was very close for third – all I could have asked for was a little smoother delivery on initial throttle to stop the wheel spinning and increase drive towards the end of the race.”
Honda World Superbikes
Results SUPERSPORT
1 / SOFUOGLU / TUR / Honda CBR600RR / Hannspree Ten Kate Honda
2 / PITT / AUS / Honda CBR600RR / Hannspree Ten Kate Honda
3 / LASCORZ / ESP / Honda CBR600RR / Glaner Motocard.com
4 / HAYES / USA / Honda CBR600RR / Parkalgar Racing Team
5 / PARKES / AUS / Yamaha YZF-R6 / Yamaha World Supersport
6 / NANNELLI / ITA / Honda CBR600RR / Hannspree Honda Althea
7 / SANNA / ITA / Honda CBR600RR / Parkalgar Racing Team
8 / VIZZIELLO / ITA / Honda CBR600RR / Benjan Racing Team
9 / AITCHISON / AUS / Triumph 675 / Triumph Italia BE1 Racing
10 / FORET / FRA / Yamaha YZF-R6 / Yamaha World Supersport
11 / BROOKES / AUS / Honda CBR600RR / Hannspree Stiggy Motors
12 / PRAIA / POR / Honda CBR600RR / Parkalgar Racing Team
13 / MCCOY / AUS / Triumph 675 / Triumph Italia BE1 Racing
14 / HOLLAND / AUS / Honda CBR600RR / Hannspree Honda Althea
15 / VAN KEYMEULEN / BEL / Suzuki GSX-R600 / RES Software Hoegee Suzuki
Fastest Lap 11 Kenan Sofuoglu 1'46.082 155,834 Km/h
Lap record: New Circuit
Best Lap: 2008 Kenan Sofuoglu 1'45.156 157,210
Final Riders Championship Standings:
1 PITT 214, 2 REA 164, 3 BROOKES 162, 4 PARKES 150, 5 LASCORZ 121, 6 FORET 111, 7 JONES 100, 8 VENEMAN 92, 9 HARMS 71, 10 NANNELLI 70, 11 VIZZIELLO 60,
12 ROCCOLI 58, 13 LAGRIVE 56, 14 AITCHISON 47, 15 VAN KEYMEULEN 39.
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