Kenan Sofuoglu And Eugene Laverty Ready For Finale

Wednesday, September 29th, 2010

In the Supersport World Championship the dramatic conclusion to last weekend’s Imola race, when the only two remaining championship protagonists Kenan Sofuoglu (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda) and Eugene Laverty (Parkalgar Honda) collided in the final chicane, has built up anticipation all the more for this round. Sofuoglu is now 16 points ahead, leaving Laverty in the position of having to go for the win and hope that other results work in his favour. Sofuoglu, who was champion of this class with the same Hannspree Ten Kate team in 2007, is therefore very much in the driving seat entering the French round.

Michele Pirro from the Hannspree Ten Kate Honda team had a confidence building result at the previous round, winning the Imola race after passing the stricken Sofuoglu and Laverty, and boosting himself to fifth overall in the rankings. At Magny-Cours he knows another podium is a realistic prospect.

Gino Rea (Intermoto Czech Honda) has slipped to eighth in the championship standings, after a fall at Imola and the rapid advance of Pirro to fifth, but he is determined to score and score well in France. He is only eight points and three places behind Pirro, but is 12 points clear of next closest rival Katsuaki Fujiwara.

Intermoto Czech Honda rider Massimo Roccoli equalled his best finish of the year, sixth, at the previous round in Italy. Massimo is poised on the same points total as Fujiwara, but ranked tenth overall due to Fujiwara’s higher personal best race finish. With three riders behind him covered by only 11 points, Roccoli needs aggression and restraint in equal measure to make advances while protection his points total.

Miguel Praia, from the Parkalgar Honda Supersport team, hurt his thumb in a crash at Imola, and is now in a battle to be fit for the next race, the last one of a 13 round season which started in Australia in February.

Kenan Sofuoglu, Hannspree Ten Kate Honda CBR600RR:
“I really wanted to win last weekend in Italy but it didn’t happen. The positive thing is that I have a 16-point advantage over Eugene going to Magny-Cours, so I am in a good position. The points I got at Imola mean I have to finish sixth or better to score enough, no matter what else happens. But we will be going out to win if we can.”

Eugene Laverty, Parkalgar Honda CBR600RR:
“I am looking forward to the Magny-Cours race, although it is a pity that the points gap could not be closer. I am looking to be on form and be able to ride more like myself. I have had some treatment on my shoulder to make sure I am back at 100% for the final race. I want to win even if I don’t win the championship. I have won more races than anyone else this year and Kenan knows that, which is why he wanted to beat me in Imola. I want to win the last race and I’m sure Kenan wants to do the same.”

Michele Pirro, Hannspree Ten Kate Honda CBR600RR:
“This coming race will signal the end of a difficult season, aggravated by the accident which hurt my wrist in July. When you ride for a team like Ten Kate you feel obliged to make the result at any cost and it’s easy to make mistakes. The victory at Imola motivated me a lot and at Magny-Cours I will ride to get the best result. Then I will think about the next season.”

Gino Rea, Intermoto Czech Honda CBR600RR:
“I am fine after my crash at Imola, no injuries, and I think that it was the first time in my road racing career that I crashed in a race when it was my fault. The best thing about Magny-Cours is that we do not have to wait too long to try and get another podium. I hope we can make practice and qualifying go well. I have gone well there in the past but we have to make the bike work well too.”

Massimo Roccoli, Intermoto Czech Honda CBR600RR:
“Getting ten points last time was a big help to me. We have had ups and downs this season, so I want to finish on another high, and try to make up one place if I can. It is important to keep Fujiwara behind me. It is very tight in the table so every point will count.”

Miguel Praia, Parkalgar Honda CBR600RR:
“I am having physio twice a day to get my overextended left thumb fixed. At the moment it is quite swollen. It is the last race and I want to make it the best race of the year. If I do that I can aim for a placing inside the top ten in the final championship ranking. That is my entire focus, my only aim, as it would be important for the team.”