Victory for Sofuoglu in dramatic supersport race

Four-time World Champion Kenan Sofuoglu (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) took a clear win after a shortened 11-lap race at Imola, on a drying track that allowed him to take the championship lead.

His fellow podium riders proved to be Jules Cluzel (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) and PJ Jacobsen (Honda World Supersport Team).

The race was cut to 11-laps after world championship leader Randy Krummenacher (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) was shown the black flag with an orange spot as his bike started to make smoke. His team said later it was from a water leak, and it did not affect his bike’s performance, so Krummenacher carried on, as he did not see the smoke behind him.

Even after seeing the warning flag he stated that he only saw his number next to it after he had completed his lap and embarked on another. He eventually took to he grass to make his way back to the pits, but was excluded from the race restart.

After Christian Gamarino crashed and his bike blocked the track at turn 14, the first attempted race was finally red flagged.

Gino Rea (GRT Racing Team MV Agusta) fell in the restart and almost collected the luckless Gamarino, who managed to continue.

Another crash from wildcard Michael Canducci saw his bike on track at turn one, but be removed in time for the race to continue.  

Sofuoglu has made a clear 1.4 second lead by lap seven, with Jacobsen, Cluzel, Zanetti and Baldolini behind.

Behind the podium three Alex Baldolini (Race Department ATK#25 MV Agusta), Alessandro Zaccone (San Carlo Team Italia Kawasaki) and Lorenzo Zanetti (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) completed the top six. In the championship chase Sofuoglu now leads with 86 points, Krummenacher is second on an unchanged 71, Cluzel has 58 and Kyle Smith (CIA Landlord Insurance Honda) has 46 after finishing 11^th today