Conditions at the Cremona Circuit were cool and sunny today as the ninth WorldSSP round continues. Kawasaki Puccetti Racing rider Can Oncu was on track yesterday for the free practice and Superpole. Setting a fastest time of 1’32.403 in the qualifying, the Turkish rider placed eighth.
Once again today, Oncu’s ZX 6R Kawasaki features the historic ELF livery, marking the solid, almost ten-year partnership between Total Energies and Kawasaki Puccetti Racing.
Having completed morning warm-up today, the Turkish rider lined up on the third row of the grid for Race 1. He made a very fast start but came into contact with other riders as he entered a corner and was forced off track, crashing as a result. He rejoined the race in last position but was able to maintain a good rhythm. Though able to make up ground, the group ahead was a good way off and so he ultimately decided to return to the garage to change the tyres and try to set a fast time that would guarantee him a strong grid position for tomorrow’s Race 2 (the first nine positions on the Race 2 grid are decided based on the fastest lap times set in Race 1). Having set the sixth best time in today’s race, Oncu will start from row two tomorrow.
Cremona Circuit – Italy
Race 1: 1) Huertas (Ducati) – 2) Manzi (Yamaha) – 3) Montella (Ducati) – 3) Schroetter (MV Agusta) – 4) Booth-Amos (Triumph) – 5) Mahias (Yamaha) …… 22) Oncu (Kawasaki)
Can Oncu
“Luck is just not on our side right now. I got off the line well and was making up positions when I came into contact with three other riders and crashed through. I rejoined the race and tried to catch up, but the frontrunners were too far off. In the end I decided to come back into the garage and change the tyres to set a good lap time, which will allow me to start from the second row of the grid for tomorrow’s Race 2.”
