Courtesy of KRT – Kawasaki Racing Team
Kenan Sofuoglu (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) was in competition with only one other rider for the top qualifying spot at the 4.592km Portimao circuit today and in taking the second best time he earned a front row starting position for Sunday’s race.
Sofuoglu and Jules Cluzel were clearly ahead of their peers at the undulating and tricky Portimao circuit on pre-race qualifying. Near the end of the session both pushed their times forward, with Sofuoglu only 0.272 seconds off pole at the end of a session that had been interrupted by a red flag for a short time.
With 18-laps ahead of him tomorrow as he goes for a fifth race win in a row, Sofuoglu is out to extend his already impressive championship lead.
Marco Faccani (San Carlo Puccetti Racing Kawasaki) crashed at an unlucky point of proceedings at Portimao and qualified 12th, earning a fourth row start.
Christian Gamarino (Go Eleven Kawasaki) was just one place behind in 13th and Dominic Schmitter (Team Go Eleven Kawasaki) starts from 16th place on the grid.
Kenan Sofuoglu: “I am happy with he result of qualifying because yesterday we were down on speed but today we had a good improvement on the bike set-up. Our race most recent simulation was good, and again this morning, so hopefully for tomorrow we can go to win the race. For sure it will not be easy but that is what we aim to do.”
ASC - Action Sports Connection 