FIM Supersport World Championship Autodromo Algarve Portimao, Portugal November 2, 2008 Race Results (all on Pirelli tires): 1. Kenan SOFUOGLU (Honda CBR600RR), 20 laps, 35:39.851 2. Andrew PITT (Honda CBR600RR), -3.844 seconds 3. Joan LASCORZ (Honda CBR600RR), -7.403 4. Josh HAYES (Honda CBR600RR), -7.445 5. Broc PARKES (Yamaha YZF-R6), -17.271 6. Gianluca NANNELLI (Honda CBR600RR), -17.297 7. Simone SANNA (Honda CBR600RR), -25.803 8. Gianluca VIZZIELLO (Honda CBR600RR), -29.749 9. Mark AITCHISON (Triumph Daytona 675), -29.960 10. Fabien FORET (Yamaha YZF-R6), -30.155 11. Josh BROOKES (Honda CBR600RR), -30.697 12. Miguel PRAIA (Honda CBR600RR), -30.719 13. Garry MCCOY (Triumph Daytona 675), -40.033 14. Russel HOLLAND (Honda CBR600RR), -40.839 15. Didier VAN KEYMEULEN (Suzuki GSX-R600), -44.266 28. Robbin HARMS (Honda CBR600RR), -10 laps, DNF, crash 29. Barry VENEMAN (Suzuki GSX-R600), -11 laps, DNF, crash 30. Massimo ROCCOLI (Yam YZF-R6), -13 laps, DNF, crash 31. Matthieu LAGRIVE (Honda CBR600RR), -15 laps, DNF, crash World Championship Point Standings (after 13 of 13 races): 1. Pitt, 214 points 2. Rea, 164 3. Brookes, 162 4. Parkes, 150 5. Lascorz, 121 6. Foret, 111 7. Craig Jones (RIP), 100 8. Veneman, 92 9. Harmes, 71 10. Nannelli, 70 18. Hayes, 26 19. Sofuoglu, 25 More, from a press release issued by HANNspree Ten Kate Honda: Kenan Sofuoglu won today’s final 2008 World Supersport championship race at Portimao in Portugal, completing a remarkable season for the HANNspree Ten Kate team and Honda’s CBR600RR. Sofuoglu’s team-mate and recently crowned champion, Andrew Pitt, was second. The Turkish rider started the 20-lap race around the all-new, 4.5km Autodromo Internacional do Algarve from pole position, but dropped back to sixth in the opening laps, while Pitt led the way with fellow Honda riders, Jaon Lascorz and Josh Hayes. Sofuoglu battled back, however, and by mid-race distance, retook the lead whilst setting the fastest lap of the race at 1m46.082s a time comparable with top ten World Superbike riders in the first race today. As an added bonus for the HANNspree Ten Kate Honda team, Jonathan Rea, who is competing on the CBR1000RR Superbike this weekend, retained second place in the World Supersport title race. Kenan Sofuoglu P1 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. Andrew Pitt P2 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! Ronald ten Kate team manager I’m just so happy. With a 1-2 in the race, and a 1-2 in the championship, it’s the crown on a fantastic season for us. Big compliments of course to the riders, but also to the whole team who, week in, week out, race-by-race produce fantastic winning machines for the riders. Now it’s time to celebrate before we start to work with the new Honda CBR600RR next season. More, from a press release issued by Parkalgar Honda: Hayes leads at home for Parkalgar Honda PARKALGAR HONDA racer Josh Hayes led the race and won the hearts of the Portuguese crowd as he battled for a podium place at the 13th and final round of the World Supersport Championship at the home of the team’s title sponsor, the brilliant all-new Parkalgar Algarve Motor Park circuit. Josh , starting from eighth on the grid, was immediately on front running pace and led across the line on lap eight. He then settled in to a fight with Honda’s Juan Lascorz for third that went right down to the last corner of the last lap, with the brave American missing out on the rostrum by just 0.042secs and finishing fourth. Wild-card Parkalgar Honda rider Simone Sanna enjoyed a thrilling race. Starting from 15th the Italian scythed through the field to finish a competitive seventh. Parkalgar Honda home favourite Miguel Praia scored a season’s best 12th place finish from 18th on the grid. To celebrate he stripped down to his underwear and threw his riding kit to the crowd, eliciting enormous cheers and applause. Honda’s Kenan Sofuoglu won the race. Parkalgar Honda racer Craig Jones, who was tragically killed in a racing incident in August and honoured at the circuit with the technical turn nine named after him and a memorial statue, is the team’s highest finisher in the World Championship in seventh. Josh finished 18th, Miguel 25th and Simone 28th. The team now goes into its winter testing period, starting tomorrow at its home track. The 2009 World Supersport Championship starts on 1st March at Phillip Island in Australia. Josh: “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. Thanks to the team and the circuit for the opportunity to ride in this Championship, it has been great.” Simone: “This result is not so bad as I have not ridden a bike in six months, so I am happy. From the fourth row of the grid, I could not make much better result than this. Thank you for the wild-card ride, I have enjoyed it and really like this new circuit, it is world class and good fun to ride.” Miguel: “I only wish I could have got a better result in front of my home crowd but 12th is my season’s best which is good. My lap times at the end of the race were quick and I was catching the people in front; which shows we can be competitive. I decided to throw my riding kit to the crowd; the Portuguese fans are the best in the world and I thank them all for their support both for me and the new circuit, this is a place to be very proud of.” Simon Buckmaster, Parkalgar Honda Team Manager: “That was a fantastic job by Josh, Simone, Miguel and the whole Parkalgar Honda team. While the three riders have all scored well this is a team sport and I am proud of every member of the team especially for running a third bike which called on a lot of extra effort. “Just like Josh and the 91,000 fans here this weekend, I would have liked for him to have achieved a podium result but it does not take away from the fact it has been a great team effort all round. It has also been a brilliant day for the Parkalgar Algarve Motor Park Circuit, the racing is close and exciting, the weather warm and the facilities second to none. It’s a great achievement so well done to the Portuguese staff and event management and a special congratulations to Paulo Pinheiro, the circuit and team owner for this incredible achievement.” More, from a press release issued by Triumph Italia Be1 Racing: Triumph Be1 Racing closes the season with two excellent results. Mark Aitchison grabbed the 9th place while Garry McCoy finished 13th after a troubled week-end in which the riders could not work effectively due to the bad weather conditions. Chiefly the rain influenced Ivan Clementi and Garry McCoy’s performances. The Italian rider was not able to fix the chattering at his bike while the Aussie rider got just a backline starting position. That forced him to spend the first part of the race fighting with slower riders. Afterwards McCoy lapped with a quicker pace and succeeded to recovery to the 13th final position. On the contrary, Mark Aitchison was author of an excellent race with thrilling battles which, nevertheless, denied him the possibility keep his bike close to the leaders. MARK AITCHISON | Triumph 675 | 9th Classified: “It has been a great season, especially considering that both I and the team made our debut. We grabbed excellent results and we have immediately entered the list of the top teams of the championship. Today the race was wonderful. I’ve fought from the first lap to the last one and I got a good result at the end”. GARRY McCOY | Triumph 675 | 13th Classified: “I would like to thank the team for the chance they gave me. Unfortunately, the starting position was poor and if I had had the opportunity to start from a better position I could finish into the top-10. That’s ok anyway. I got back on the bike after a three months stop. I enjoyed it and I’ve found back a good physical and psychological condition”. IVAN CLEMENTI | Triumph 675 | 21st Classified: “We have been not able to fix the chattering and that influenced negatively my performance, especially on the quick parts of the track. Unfortunately the time to work on the dry track was too little in order to reach a good set-up”. GIULIANO ROVELLI | TEAM MANAGER: “In our first SuperSport World Championship season we have been able to bring Daytona 675 to high levels. That spurs us to face the 2009 season with more prestigious goals. I would like to thank the riders and the team for their application during the whole season. I also thank all the sponsor which have supported Triumph Be1 Racing”. More, from a press release issued by Yamaha Racing: Parkes fifth after tough fight at new circuit After running in the leading pack for some of the 20-lap race at Portimao Broc Parkes (Yamaha World Supersport Team) could not stay in contention for the podium and finished fifth. The Australian rider had been slowed by a crash which happened right in front of him and after that he was unable to catch the leading group again and slowly dropped back as his tyres lost optimum grip. He held off a late challenge to finish in the top five and end his season fourth overall, on 150 points, with one win to his credit. Fabien Foret (Yamaha World Supersport Team) could not get into contention after starting 16th on the grid and despite finishing tenth, he was disappointed by his final raceday of the 2008 season. He also scored a single win in the championship chase this year, and despite missing four races through injury, he was sixth overall, on 111 points. Massimo Roccoli (Yamaha Team Italia Lorenzini by Leoni) crashed out of contention on lap five, remounted, but eventually retired in the pits, ending his season in overall 12th place. David Salom (Yamaha Spain World Supersport) only just missed out on a point for 16th place today. Broc Parkes (5th – Yamaha World Supersport Team) “I really wanted to win the last one for Yamaha and I tried my best. I got caught up with the crash of Veneman and got separated from the front bunch. Once I had lost them, I basically had to keep my position. At the end I was losing some time when I started losing rear grip, and I had to work hard to keep Nannelli behind me, but I beat him to the line. I gave it my best.” Fabien Foret (10th – Yamaha World Supersport Team) “The track was very challenging in the dry over the full race and to be honest I was not expecting a great result after qualifying. I wanted to ride, find some feeling from the bike and have fun but it was not so easy. I am not happy with how the set-up was. I am just happy that this season is now over and I can start working to 2009 now.” Wilco Zeelenberg (Team Manager, Yamaha World Supersport Team) “A very disappointing race of course for us, rear tyre grip dropped quite dramatically and Broc couldn’t do anything to keep up with the first three. It was the same story for Fabien, we saw that the rear tyre is really bad at the moment, for our bike especially. Qualifying was ok, but after eight or nine laps the tyre went off very hard, we’ve not had that so bad this year.” Massimo Roccoli (DNF – Yamaha Team Italia Lorenzini by Leoni) “It was very disappointing not to finish and it has not been the happiest experience this weekend, especially at this new circuit. I lost the front end and tried to continue after but it was not possible. The gear linkage was too badly broken and I would have got no points.” More, from a press release issued by GIL Kawasaki: Katsuaki Fujiwara (GIL Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R) rode to 22nd place in his last 2008 championship race, to also finish 22nd overall in the points standings. Chris Martin (GIL Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R) was 24th in the race, and like Fujiwara feeling the lack of dry track time in practice. Martin was also suffering from the effects of flu as he raced 20 hard laps at Portimao, but he signs off from WSS with happy memories of some great experiences since joining the team at Donington Katsuaki Fujiwara: “That was the maximum possible today and I tried my best. We had some of the same problem as in qualifying and this new track was very tough. The bike stayed constant but the tyre was finished by the end.” Chris Martin: “I felt like my rear tyre was going half way into the race but I also didn’t feel very well. I was getting hotter and hotter so I had to calm myself down a bit. It was just one of those moments and could not quite get past a rider on the line. It was pretty slippery out there. I have enjoyed working with the team they have been brilliant with me. I just wished I was 100% fit this weekend, but I have enjoyed the whole experience.” More, from a press release issued by Team Suzuki News Service: After making a great start in the last race of the World Supersport season, RES Software Hoegee Suzuki rider Barry Veneman crashed on the ninth lap. Team mate Didier Van Keymeulen had problems with his bike early in the race, but despite that he still scored a valuable championship point at the new track in Portimao. Immediately after the start, Veneman showed he had the pace to score another podium finish. He started from third on the grid, and after just one lap he was leading. But after seven laps he dropped back to second place but he was fighting hard in a small group at the front. It was on the following lap that it all went wrong when he had dropped down to fourth. Trying to make up places, he had a huge high-side from which he was lucky to walk away uninjured, and so his podium chances were gone, but he finished the 2008 World Supersport season in eighth place. Marc Hoegee – Team owner RES Software Hoegee Suzuki: “We had a good weekend here in Portimao and it also seemed that we would finish this weekend with some success. Barry battled very hard and he gave his all but unfortunately the race was over for him. Didier had problems with his quick-shifter which made it impossible for him to ride at the front. I am sure that without this problem he would have made it into the top 10. However, we can all look back at a very good season and next year I am sure that we can continue at the same level or even higher. I would like to thank the whole team, the sponsors and all the fans because we wouldn’t have got this far without them.” Barry Veneman: “I had a good start, everything felt comfortable and I was looking forward to another podium. I was doing well and especially in the corners I had a lot of speed but on the straight I was losing out a little to the other riders. I think when I crashed, while in fourth position, I was just pushing too hard. I came out of a corner, gave it too much gas and then I had a high-side. It is a shame because I wanted to finish a good 2008 season on an even higher note.” Didier Van Keymeulen: “Immediately after the start I picked up some places. The adjustments we made to the bike’s suspension overnight worked well and I was feeling comfortable. Unfortunately I noticed on the second lap that I had problems with the gear change. On the hills especially it was hard to keep up a good pace because I was missing one of the ratios. I didn’t want to stop because I saw that I was still able to finish 15th and happily I managed that and scored a hard-earned point.” More, from a press release issued by Honda: Sofuoglu Comes Back In Winning Supersport Style 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.”