EVERGREEN Aussie racer Ant West has lit up the opening round of the World Supersport Championship with an incredible ride, leading the race on numerous occasions despite starting from 12th on the grid.
West has raced everything from 250cc two-stroke Grand Prix bikes to MotoGP found himself as a World Supersport wildcard at Phillip Island, and looks to have found himself a competitive bike (but we still don’t know if he will be able to keep the ride).
Jacques Cluzel ran off at about half race distance and two corners later Kenan Sofuoglu took the lead diving into the hairpin under West, but later in the lap West took the lead back, but at the end of the straight the Turkish multiple world champion got it back again.
Sofouglu was on almost unbackable odds after qualifying, but his poor start made it look at lot more open – but once he put a small gap on West he simply started to field behind.
West was incredible into the hairpin, diving under the likes of Randy Krummenacher, until he took made a slight break.
And they were doing all this with drops of rain on their visors. Not enough rain to really make a traction difference, it can certainly make a psychological difference.
Then Sofogolu crashed out at Sibera with three laps to run, losing the back and careering into the hay bales.
The battle for second was then on for young and old. West struggled, but again charged through to second at the hairpin.
West was second in the final corner, but was drafted to the line by Frederico Caricasulo to finish third.
Krumanacher’s win was stunning, having switched from Moto2 for 2016 – his debut ride.
“The last few months has been difficult trying to find a ride, putting this team together at the last minute has been a big effort. I’m just happy the result we had, you can’t expect more with a private team against all these high levels teams and riders, so it’s a great result.
“This is exactly what we came here to do, beat these guys at a World level on a bike which shouldn’t even be here.”
Local Aussies Glenn Scott, Alex Phillis and Mitch Levy all used their wildcard rides to score world championship points.
Krummenacher said after the race, “It’s very great to win, I never expected that and I didn’t expect it. Never expected Kenan (Sofogolu) to crash, then I just had to bring it home.”
WorldSSP Race Results
GAP
1. Randy Krummenacher – Switzerland- Kawasaki WIN
2. Federico Caricasulo – Italian- Honda 2.747
3. Anthony West – Australia– Yamaha 2.761
4. Christian Gamarino – Italian Kawasaki 2.917
5. Patrick Jacobsen – USA Honda 3.20
Other Australians
10. Aiden Wagner – Australia – MV Agusta 18.172
12. Glenn Scott – Australia (Central Coast) 18.334
14. Alex Phillis – Australia (Melb/Albury) Honda 38.311
15. Mitch Levy – Australia Yamaha 38.412
21. Lachlan Epis – Australia (Syd) Kawasaki 1 lap
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