FIM Supersport World Championship
Portimao, Portugal
July 5, 2014
Qualifying Results (all on Pirelli tires):
1. Kenan SOFUOGLU, Turkey (Kawasaki ZX-6R), 1:45.924
2. Michael VD MARK, Netherlands (Honda CBR600RR), 1:46.002
3. Jules CLUZEL, France (MV Agusta F3 675), 1:46.089
4. Jack KENNEDY, Ireland (Honda CBR600RR), 1:46.310
5. Raffaele DE ROSA, Italy (Honda CBR600RR), 1:46.591
6. Lorenzo ZANETTI, Italy (Honda CBR600RR), 1:46.632
7. Kev COGHLAN, UK (Yamaha YZF-R6), 1:46.644
8. PJ JACOBSEN, USA (Kawasaki ZX-6R), 1:46.673
9. Florian MARINO, France (Kawasaki ZX-6R), 1:46.726
10. Massimo ROCCOLI, Italy (MV Agusta F3 675), 1:46.795
More, from a press release issued by Pata Honda:
Van der Mark second on Portimao grid
Pata Honda rider Michael van der Mark put his Honda CBR600RR in second place on the grid for tomorrow’s eighth round World Supersport race in Portugal in today’s qualifying session at the Autodromo Internacional Algarve.
The Dutch flyer’s time was just 0.078s behind that of pole position man, Kenan Sofuoglu, but van der Mark, 21, set an impressive race pace during the third free practice session this morning and is confident for tomorrow’s 18-lap race at the 4.592km circuit.
His Pata Honda team-mate Lorenzo Zanetti, 26, was also in determined mood this afternoon, setting the sixth-fastest time in a sunny but breezy qualifying session for a second-row start.
The Italian makes no secret of the fact that the Portimao circuit is his least-favourite on the World Supersport calendar but he is focused on another podium challenge tomorrow before the series heads into an extended summer break.
Michael van der Mark – P2
I’m really happy with today because this morning we did a race simulation with a few changes to the set-up which worked very well. The pace was really fast which I was happy with but this afternoon’s qualifying was a bit of a messy session. The strong wind came in and we tried some other things which didn’t really work. But we are in P2 and really close to Kenan [Sofuoglu] who is in pole position and Jules [Cluzel] is also on the front row. It should be a good fight, but I think my race pace is OK and I’m really looking forward to tomorrow.
Lorenzo Zanetti – P6
I think that a second row start for the race at my worst track is not too bad! I wasn’t really able to put in a fast lap time for qualifying but my race pace is good and consistent and I was able to get into a rhythm today. That makes me feel positive for the race and I think we can fight for the podium. I am losing a little through rear grip – a bit on entry and a bit on exit – but this is something we can work on. My feeling with the bike is much better than at Misano, so I am looking forward to tomorrow’s race.
Pieter Breddels – technical co-ordinator
Michael did a very good run this morning when he was putting in really quick times. The grip went down a little bit in qualifying and it was harder to do the times. We tried a few changes which didn’t really work but he is second on the grid and has a really good race rhythm. Lorenzo didn’t have a bad day either and managed to put it on the second row. Hopefully he can fight for the one of the podium spots, too.
More, from a press release issued by Kawasaki:
Pole For Sofuoglu Boosts His Pre-Race Prospects
Kenan Sofuoglu (Kawasaki Mahi Racing Team India) took his second pole position start of the season in the FIM Supersport World Championship, heading up qualifying despite having a fast crash in the morning free practice session.
His great recovery, after quick and assured work from his team, saw him take his 19th career pole position that placed him in an ideal grid spot to take on the 18-lap race at the 4.592km circuit in Portugal on Sunday afternoon.
Increasingly windy conditions this afternoon made qualifying tough for all riders but the warm weather conditions through practice over two days allowed for consistent work to be made at one of the most intense circuits on the WSS calendar.
The next best Kawasaki qualifiers were Patrick Jacobsen (Kawasaki Intermoto Ponyexpres) in eighth place and Florian Marino (Kawasaki Intermoto Ponyexpres) in ninth.
Roberto Tamburini (San Carlo Puccetti Racing Kawasaki) eared an 11th place on the starting grid while another Ninja ZX-6R rider, Roby Rolfo (Kawasaki Team Go Eleven), completed the fourth row.
Christian Gamarino (Kawasaki Team Go Eleven) placed 19th and headed up the two remaining Kawasaki riders; Tony Covena (Kawasaki Ponyexpres Intermoto) and Alessandro Nocco (San Carlo Puccetti Racing Kawasaki).
Kenan Sofuoglu: “I cannot say we had an easy day especially after the crash I had in the morning when I lost the front in free practice. The mechanics had to work hard until a few minutes before qualifying to build a completely new bike. My feeling at that time was not so good. I did not hurt my body but I lost a lot of energy and did not have a very good feeling. The first part of qualifying I was missing corners and my confidence was affected but later I realised I could set a good time so I pushed for a fast lap and got pole position. Now we are searching a little for final race set-up and we are in a tight area for tyre choice but we are strong in our pace so I think tomorrow we have quite a big chance to win. The team has done a great job and we have a good new direction with suspension. From now we will go in this way because even on a used tyre I could stay inside the top three times. It looks like the bike is working how I like it and I am happy for that.”
More, from a press release issued by FIM:
FIM Supersport World Championship
Portimão: Decision of the Race Direction
On Saturday 05 July during the qualifying session, rider #14 Ratthapark Wilairot rode significantly slower than racing speed on the racing line, thus disturbing the laps of other riders and causing danger to himself and other riders.
This is considered to be irresponsible riding, and is therefore an infringement of Article 1.21.1 of the FIM Superbike & Supersport World Championships & FIM Superstock Cup Regulations.
A Race Direction hearing was held at Portimão Circuit on 05 July and the decision of the Race Direction is to impose Four Penalty Points on the record of Ratthapark Wilairot for the 2014 season. (Art 3.2.1 of the 2014 FIM FIM Superbike & Supersport World Championships & FIM Superstock Cup Disciplinary and Arbitration Code).
No appeal was lodged.
The decision of the Race Direction is final.