The first round of the 2023 Supersport World Championship concluded today at the Phillip Island circuit in Australia. Kawasaki Puccetti Racing Can Oncu scored second place in yesterday’s Superpole before crashing during the race 1 sighting lap as a result of rain at the Australian track.
Today, in sunny conditions and on a dry track, the young Turk took part in race 2, starting from second on the grid. The Kawasaki Puccetti Racing rider made a very strong start that saw him hold second position. In the space of only a few laps, the leading group, comprising Oncu and two other riders, had built a good lead over the chasing pack. The trio continued to exchange positions until lap fourteen, when the race was brought to a definitive end with the red flag when geese entered the track (a common occurrence at Phillip Island). At the time the race was stopped, Oncu was lying third which meant he scored his first podium of the season! A strong result for the Turkish rider who was nevertheless disappointed that he didn’t have the chance to try for the win, due to the race ending prematurely.
Two races into the championship and Can Oncu places eighth in the general standings with 16 points. The next Supersport World Championship round will take place on 3-5 March at the Pertamina Mandalika International Street Circuit in Indonesia.
Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit – Victoria – Australia
Supersport World Championship
Race 2 – 1) Bulega (Ducati) – 2) Manzi (Yamaha) – 3) Oncu (Kawasaki) – 4) Schroetter (MV Agusta) – 5) Van Straalen (Yamaha) – 6) Navarro (Yamaha)
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“The race was good, I think. We did a good job and improved a lot. I enjoyed racing with these guys at the front a lot, especially after the bad luck of yesterday. I am happy to be back on the podium and I want to continue like that, at full gas and pushing. I will enjoy racing at Mandalika next week and now we will have some days off, with good motivation. I think we will be even more ready in Mandalika and I will try to win both races there”.
