WorldSSP: Experience Is the Key
The top 4 in the title head to Misano with some different lessons learned
Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli is the venue for Round 8 of the 2016 season, and Italy awaits with open arms as the WorldSBK paddock pays its second visit to the famous track. But gelato and pasta on the Adriatic is the furthest from what the grid ordered, with the points leaders in the 2016 Championship hungry only for the victory – and the points.
Kawasaki Puccetti Racing duo Kenan Sofuoglu – reigning Champion – and Randy Krummenacher – rookie – are the two men to beat in WorldSSP running up to the Pirelli Riviera di Rimini Round. Title defender Sofuoglu once again heads the points table, and rookie Krummenacher is the first chaser in the fight to catch the Turk. In 2015, Sofuoglu was on the way to a podium finish, before succumbing to the pressure and seeing a third place slip away, meaning the reigning Champion has scores to settle with Misano World Circuit. That could prove motivation more than nerves for the Turk, as the most successful rider in Supersport history does not count on many tracks on which a big haul of points have escaped him.
Krummenacher may be a WorldSSP rookie, but the Swiss rider is in fact the most experienced in the field when it comes to Misano. After a long history in the Grand Prix paddock, the man who currently sits P2 has experienced some of his best results in the World Championship at the Italian track, including a rookie P6 in 2007 in the 125 World Championship. With a good feeling with the bike and hopes that the normally glistening sun of the Adriatic will greet the WorldSBK paddock, Krummenacher may prove the man to beat.
Last year’s victor at Misano was Jules Cluzel. Taking a commanding victory from pole position, the French Supersport veteran gained a big margin on Sofuoglu in the title and again proved his skill on his MV Agusta. Despite the bike having had to adjust more than some of its contemporaries to the new technical regulations introduced for 2016, the MV is now back up at the front and a consistent challenger once again. Cluzel, although back on the grid and already a winner in 2016, is still suffering effects from his season-ending crash in Jerez in 2015 and will need to call on the mental strength that has seen him able to return if he is to fight once again for another win. Having shown both the will and ability however, his record at Misano alone is enough for his rivals to ill afford being able to count him out, with two victories in the last two years at the track.
Honda World Supersport Team rider PJ Jacobsen is another man with a good record at Misano, having climbed on the podium in the last two Race weekends on the Adriatic coast. After a bumpier start to the season and some costly losses of points, American Jacobsen is now on a good roll of momentum as the second half of the year begins, with podium finishes more often than not. Last time out in Donington saw the number 2 bike move up into the top 3 in the title too, as Jacobsen held off Krummenacher to cross the line in second on race day. Going one better for the first time this season will be the goal, with a track he likes and a bike that is working well, and the American will be pushing hard to start cutting the gap at the top of the table.
Veteran Alex Baldolini, rookie Federico Caricasulo and Sepang winner Ayrton Badovini will be the riders leading the home charge in Italy, taking on their international rivals and each other for home glory. Lorenzo Zanetti, Jules Cluzel’s MV Agusta Reparto Corse teammate, could also be one to watch as the race winner tries to bounce back from a difficult start to the season. The FIM Europe Supersport Cup charge will be led by another local – Alessandro Zaccone – as the young Italian continues to impress and top the category for his San Carlo Team Italia squad, and sits 14th overall in the broader WorldSSP ranking – one place ahead of his teammate and compatriot Axel Bassani.
Young guns and experienced hands are sure to attack Misano World Circuit in much the same way as the riders battle for position at a track well known to many, and WorldSSP begins practice on Friday 17th June ahead of the Race at 11:20am (GMT +2) on Sunday 19th, for Round 8 of the 2016 season.