The second Supersport World Championship round taking place at the Pertamina Mandalika International Street Circuit of Lombok in Indonesia really got going today, with the Superpole and the weekend’s first race.
Kawasaki Puccetti Racing rider Can Oncu showed his full potential, as well as that of his ZX-6R, when he set the second fastest time (1’36”729) in yesterday’s free practice sessions. Back out this morning for the Superpole, which serves to establish grid positions for the races, the young Turk again proved to be a category frontrunner. With a best time of 1’35”612, he qualified third, meaning a front row spot on the grid for the morning’s 18-lap race. A race that was a triumph for the Kawasaki Puccetti Racing rider. Having made a very fast start from the front row, Oncu immediately took the lead and set a strong pace that allowed him to move away from the chasing group. On lap five, Can set a new Mandalika track record of 1’35”728. The Kawasaki Puccetti Racing rider was consistently the quickest on track and his lead increased to more than three seconds. In the final stages, Oncu was able to manage this lead and cross the line first to score his first ever WorldSSP race win!
In the championship standings, Can Oncu currently lies second with 41 points. The Kawasaki Puccetti Racing rider will be back on track tomorrow for the second and final race of this Indonesian WorldSSP round.
Pertamina Mandalika International Street Circuit – Indonesia
Supersport World Championship
Superpole: 1) Bulega (Ducati) – 2) Caricasulo (Ducati) – 3) Oncu (Kawasaki) – 4) Tuuli (Triumph) – 5) Schroetter (MV Agusta) – 6) De Rosa (Ducati)
Race 1 – 1) Oncu (Kawasaki) – 2) Caricasulo (Ducati) – 3) Tuuli (Triumph) – 4) Schroetter (MV Agusta) – 5) Bulega (Ducati) – 6) Debise (Yamaha)
Can Oncu
“Today was incredible. I was just focused on pushing as hard as I could every lap from the start and I soon saw a gap opening up behind me. So, I just kept pushing. An incredible race and so much fun. I want to say big thanks to Kawasaki, Puccetti Racing, Toprak Razgatlioglu and Kenan Sofuoglu. They have always been there for me and I hope to continue this form and score a good result in Race Two on Sunday. Thanks everyone and thanks Mandalika”.
