The two leading lights in the 2016 WorldSSP Championship were the two leading lights in the 19-lap race at the start, as Kenan Sofuoglu (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) led his team-mate Randy Krummenacher in the first lap. Niki Tuuli (Kallio Yamaha) was also with them early on but the race was not to last long for Krummenacher, who crashed out on lap five as he tried to escape Sofuoglu to keep his championship hopes alive.
Sofuoglu took his team-mate’s exit as permission to go for the win and after getting away from Tuuli he scored his sixth race win of the year – to claim his fifth World Championship crown.
Kawasaki also secured the Manufacturers’ Championship today, from Honda.
On the podium Tuuli was an assured second, his third 20-pointer in three races, with local based British rider Kyle Smith (CIAL Landlord Insurance Honda) third and PJ Jacobsen (Honda World Supersport) just missing a podium in fourth place.
Axel Bassani (San Carlo Team Italia Kawasaki) won the ESS race, for part-time riders, by finishing fifth overall, one place ahead of Jules Cluzel (MV Agusta Reparto Corse).
Illia Mikhalchik (DS Junior Team Kawasaki) beat Ayrton Badovini (GEMAR Balloons – Team Lorini Honda) for seventh, with Christoffer Bergman (CIA Landlord Insurance Honda) and Lorenzo Zanetti (GRT MV Agusta) tenth in his first ride for the team, replacing the injured Gino Rea.
Sofuoglu, WSS Race, French WSBK 2016