World Superbike

WSS: Ten Kate Monza race report

CHARPENTIER THIRD AND SOFUOGLU FIFTH AFTER DRAMATIC MONZA EVENT Sebastien Charpentier (Winston Ten Kate Honda) lost his perfect record of 2006 season race wins after 18 laps at Monza, but in finishing third he arguably had his most ...

Published: May 7, 2006, 10:52 PM

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CHARPENTIER THIRD AND SOFUOGLU FIFTH AFTER DRAMATIC MONZA EVENT

Sebastien Charpentier (Winston Ten Kate Honda) lost his perfect record of 2006 season race wins after 18 laps at Monza, but in finishing third he arguably had his most impressive performance of the year. His team-mate Kenan Sofuoglu (Winston Ten Kate Honda) survived a first lap incident and a last lap clash with another rider to finish fifth, scoring valuable championship points.

Charpentier's race saw him penalised for a jump start from pole position, meaning that he had to return from a clear lead to enter pits to take a ride-through penalty, losing some 11 places on the way. He took his already brilliant level of riding to a new plateau of excellence on lap eight, with a 1'51.403. Once again drama unfolded as Sebastien ran on at the chicane, but despite losing more places again, he battled back to finish an incredible third. In doing so he extended his championship advantage to 31 points, as his main championship rival Kevin Curtain failed to finish.

Sofuoglu was not part of the early leading group as he was held back in 20th place after a controversial first lap. His progress through the field was equally impressive to his team-mate's and he would have taken fourth but for a contact with another rider on the final time around the Parabolica. His finish puts him ninth overall.

Ronald Ten Kate - Team manager

"That was probably the most exciting race for a couple of years in the Supersport category. Sebastien clearly jumped the start so I don't even want to discuss it. He had to take his ride through and we made an organisation in pit lane to tell him when to go again. Immediately afterwards he broke the lap record twice with an amazing 1.2 seconds over the old record. I am sorry that he again lost time at the chicane when he ran on, and as the timesheets tell us, it was a further five seconds. He could even have won the race if it was not for that. I am very happy for Seb because he is now 31 points ahead, and it was good to see Tiberio winning. When we cannot win it is good to see another Honda win. Kenan also had a difficult race, and he almost had to start the first lap from last position after the big crash at the first chicane. He almost finished fourth but he shifted one too many back before the last corner, so he ended up fifth. I am happy with him, he showed himself to be a very good racer. Despite the lack of a win this race will live in my memory for a very long time."

Sebastien Charpentier -- WSS Winston Ten Kate Honda Rider
(3rd -- Championship Position: 1st with 91 points)

"It was a very long story today. An incredible 16 laps. After taking the jump start penalty it was necessary to try very hard to come back to the front. After some very hard braking I ran on at the chicane so it was more difficult again. A very tough race. But I am very happy to finish third after all that and my package was fantastic today. My Honda was incredible and the Pirellis were so good. A blown engine for Kevin Curtain was a very good development for me in the championship. I am also very happy for Tiberio, who had a difficult start to the championship."

Kenan Sofuoglu -- WSS Winston Ten Kate Honda Rider
(5th -- Championship Position: 9th with 27 points)

"The comeback was not so bad, but at the start I made a mistake. The real problem was in the first chicane, when a rider crashed and took some others out. I completely lost my exit there again and I was, 24th, and then 20th at the end of the first lap. I thought maybe I could get some points after that happened. Lap by lap I overtook many riders and then I realised that I could overtake a few more. I could have had fourth but another rider bumped me and took me out of my line on the last corner. Fifth was good but it should have been better."

-wtkh-

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