Davies wins the race but Kawasaki celebrate the crown
Chaz Davies
Race 1 at the Gaerne Spanish Round of World Superbike saw the win go to the number 7 Ducati ridden by Chaz Davies (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati).
However thanks to the placements of Tom Sykes and Jonathan Rea, respectively second and third across the line, with one round left in the season Kawasaki can already mathematically celebrate the 2016 Manufacturer Title, the second in a row for the Akashi manufacturer.
Tom Sykes leads Davies and Rea
Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team) led into the first corner from P2 on the grid, with teammate Tom Sykes and Alex Lowes (Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team) close behind. However it wasn’t long until Davies moved in on Lowes to begin his hunt for the win.
Nicky Hayden (Honda World Superbike Team) didn’t get an ideal start after a wheelie off the line slowed him considerably, however the Kentucky Kid made up for it by setting a fastest time on lap 3 as he worked his way up into the top five.
Nicky Hayden
The early laps saw many riders end their races prematurely with the first victims of the Circuito de Jerez being Luca Scassa (VFT Racing) and Saeed Al Sulaiti (Pedercini Racing) on the opening lap.
Xavi Fores (Barni Racing Team) and Davide Giugliano (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) were next when they both crashed out at turn 1 on lap two. On the next lap Lowes crashed out at turn 5, before Ant West (Pedercini Racing) slid out with the Australian able to rejoin at the next corner.
Chaz Davies – Image by Geebee Images
Once Davies got in front it was impossible for the Kawasakis to match his pace. Sykes, who finished second, gained important Championship points to help close in on his title leading teammate Jonathan Rea, who finished third.
Chaz Davies takes the double win in Jerez – Image by Geebee Images
Chaz Davies
“This used to be a bogey track of mine, I never used to be able to get results and it was always difficult. The last two years it has kind of clicked a little bit. You would think that after 16 years I would be able to get it right sooner or later! I’m just so happy to get the victory today because yesterday we were looking good and today the track changed quite a bit so we had to react to that, react to our rivals stepping up the pace and we managed to do that.”
Hayden worked his way up to finish in fourth ahead of his teammate Michael van der Mark who rounded out the top five. Sylvain Guintoli (Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team) finished in sixth with MV Agusta Reparto Corse rider Leon Camier taking seventh.
Jordi Torres
The first Spaniard home was Jordi Torres (Althea BMW Racing Team) who finished in eighth ahead of his teammate Markus Reiterberger in ninth.
Further down the order it was a four-way fight to place in the top 10 involving Josh Brookes (Milwaukee BMW), Alex De Angelis (Ioda Racing Team) Roman Ramos (Team GOELEVEN) and Lorenzo Savadori (IodaRacing).
Eventually, Brookes won the battle to finish in tenth with De Angelis in P11, Ramos in P12 and Savadori in P13. Ant West came home in P14 while Peter Sebestyen (Team Toth) picked up his first point of the season in P15.
Tom Sykes
Tom Sykes – P2
“It is a big day for Kawasaki, two years on the bounce, which is like the number ten bus! They win one last year and they are on it straight away again. It just shows you the amount of effort and support they are putting into the WorldSBK championship. Overall, it is quite an acceptable race, to finish second with those strong guys either side of me is not too bad, but it is also not perfect.”
Jonathan Rea – P3
“With everything on my mind it was better to consolidate our points today, move on and take one step closer to our ultimate goal. I’m a little bit disappointed with our bike today. We had no traction from early on, front and rear, so we need to understand that. All in all I’m happy to be on the podium, my first podium in Jerez, so that is at least one goal accomplished today.”
2016 WorldSBK Jerez -Anthony West leads Markus Reiterberger
Anthony West – P14
“After qualifying this morning I felt quite good with the bike; in fact, the front setup was really strong, we still had some issues with the rear grip during the race but I felt like I could have fight. In the race I had a good start but after like the second lap I started to lose the front a little bit and then lap by lap the conditions on the track changed a lot and the bike also changed: every time I released the brake and just start to touch the throttle I was losing the front, so I end up crashing. I’m disappointed because today I felt like it could have been maybe 7th/8th position but I’m happy because I was able to get back on the bike, restart and take some points. I could also understand the setup changes we need to do tomorrow. We have to make a big change for the race tomorrow and hopefully we can improve and do a good job. Thanks to my team because they’re working so hard.”
2016 WorldSBK – Jerez Race 1 Podium
WorldSBK 2016 – Jerez Race One
Chaz Davies (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati)
Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team)
Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team)
Nicky Hayden (Honda World Superbike Team)
Michael Van Der Mark (Honda World Superbike Team)
Sylvain Guintoli (Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team)
Leon Camier (MV Agusta Reparto Corse)
Jordi Torres (Althea BMW Racing Team)
Markus Reiterberger (Althea BMW Racing Team)
Joshua Brookes (Milwaukee BMW)
… 14. Ant West (Pedercini Racing)
WorldSBK 2016 – Jerez – WorldSBK Race 1 Results
WorldSBK 2016 – Jerez Race Two
Chaz Davies leads Sykes and Rea.
Chaz Davies does the double again at Jerez
Chaz Davies (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) won Race 2 at Jerez in a similar fashion to his victory on Saturday, while also taking out the overall Pirelli Best Lap Award.
The Welshman won his fourth double of the season in southern Spain with almost six seconds separating him from fellow podium finishers and Kawasaki Racing Team duo Jonathan Rea and Tom Sykes.
Chaz Davies – Image by Geebee Images
Davies had an incredible start storming straight through to fourth by the first corner, but it was Sykes who led with Rea close behind in second. By the end of the first lap, the Ducati rider had already shot to the front and began to build his lead.
The Kawasakis then battled it out for the remainder of the race together, with Rea trying to hunt down his second World Title. The lead swapped and changed between the Championship contenders but the reigning World Champion couldn’t shake off Sykes to take the crown, which he stll leads by 48 points.
By the end of the race, fourth-placed Nicky Hayden (Honda World Superbike Team) had caught up to the KRT duo to fight it out for the podium, but he narrowly missed out as Sykes took third behind his teammate Rea in second.
As a result, the 2016 Championship could not be won at the Gaerne Spanish Round and the Northern Irishman will need to wait until the last round at Qatar to be crowned Champion.
Sylvain Guintoli leads Alex Lowes
Sylvain Guintoli (Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team) had a solid ride in Race 2, improving from Saturday to come home in fifth ahead of Honda World Superbike Team’s Michael van der Mark in sixth, who celebrated his 50th WorldSBK race start.
Alex Lowes (Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team) finished in seventh ahead of Jordi Torres (Althea BMW Racing Team) who was the first Spaniard home in eighth.
Xavi Fores
Torres battled with fellow Spaniard Xavi Fores (Barni Racing Team) earlier on in the race to break into the top ten. Unfortunately for Fores, his race ended early after technical issues forced him to retire.
Anthony West (Pedercini Racing) ended Sunday in ninth while Lorenzo Savadori (Ioda Racing Team) rounded out the top ten.
Anthony West, Lorenzo Savadori, Josh Brookes
Roman Ramos (Team GOELEVEN) came home in P11 with Josh Brookes (Milwaukee BMW) crossing the line in P12.
Davide Giugliano (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) finished in P13, which was a solid effort considering he struggled with his recovering shoulder throughout the weekend.
Althea BMW Racing Team’s Markus Reiterberger finished in P14 with Gianluca Vizziello (Grillini Racing Team) picking up a point in P15.
The 2016 MOTUL FIM World Superbike Championship will now be decided in the final round of the season at Qatar on the 28th to the 30th of October and it’s Jonathan Rea who leads the way.
2016 WorldSBK – Jerez Race 2 Podium
WorldSBK 2016 – Jerez Race Two
Chaz Davies (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati)
Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team)
Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team)
Nicky Hayden (Honda World Superbike Team)
Sylvain Guintoli (Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team)
Michael Van Der Mark (Honda World Superbike Team)
Alex Lowes (Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK Team)
Jordi Torres (Althea BMW Racing Team)
Anthony West (Pedercini Racing)
Lorenzo Savadori (IodaRacing Team)
… 12. Joshua Brookes (Milwaukee BMW)
WorldSBK 2016 – Jerez – WorldSBK Race 2 Results
WorldSBK 2016 standings after Jerez
J. Rea Kawasaki 462
T. Sykes Kawasaki 414
C. Davies Ducati 395
M. Van Der Mark Honda 255
N. Hayden Honda 228
D. Giugliano Ducati 197
J. Torres BMW 195
L. Camier MV Agusta 165
L. Savadori Aprilia 140
X. Forés Ducati 133
Rider Quotes
Chaz Davies
Chaz Davies – P1
“Since the summer break we have been flying and this is the result. Five out of six wins now, so hats off to the crew because it is thanks to them that we are now in this position, they never stopped working or rested on their laurels. They keep chipping away in Bologna so thanks to them, thanks to Aruba and thank you to Ducati.
Chaz Davies – Image by Geebee Images
“To win four races in a row is just unreal. Lately I’ve been very confident and able to push 100 percent every lap, just dancing on the bike. Also, I managed to get the best start of the year and entered turn 1 just behind Sykes. I think he was trying to save his tyres, so I took the opportunity because I knew we could run our pace for the whole race. Today, the key was to manage the grip. I was a little mindful at the start, because the hotter conditions made the track more slippery, but in the end I could see the gap building and then it was just a case of bringing it home. Without getting overconfident, we’ll try to make it sixth in a row to get second position in the championship.”
Tom Sykes leads Jonathan Rea
Jonathan Rea – P2
“We have to play the long game. I haven’t felt so good at this circuit honestly. So to be two times on the podium is quite good. The gap to Chaz and Ducati is a bit worrying right now. But we can move on to Qatar, which is a track I really enjoy. Last year I had one good race there so we will see. I’m very relaxed now though, because even with the form of Chaz right now and with 48 points I think we can go to Qatar in a relaxed mood and look to pick up the target there.”
Tom Sykes – P3
“40 points or 48 points that was finally the difference and we are clutching at straws. The problem is that has allowed Chaz to close up even more and he is in great form. We need to find a better bike, a better set up and hopefully something that can allow me to be aggressive from start to finish like Chaz, because at the moment I feel like I am playing with myself during the race, so really disappointed. Overall third is the best we could manage today and that’s racing. We’ve got to move on from this and get stronger.”
2016 WorldSBK – Kawaski win Manufacturer Cup, Tom Sykes, Yoshimoto Matsuda, Jonathan Rea
Yoshimoto Matsuda, Senior Staff Officer KHI Engineering Department R&D
“We see this as a special year because we are having the 120th anniversary of the founding of Kawasaki Heavy Industries and it makes us so proud to win the Manufacturers’ Championship, both last year and this year also. This is very special for us. As the project leader of ZX-10R production and also having the responsibility of the world Superbike machine development this year, we have had a brand new machine to work with. So we are so proud, from both those points of view, to have had this chance and then won.”
Nicky Hayden
Nicky Hayden – P4
“It wasn’t an easy race, especially in the beginning, because the guys ahead were just too fast for me. Chaz got to the front quicker today and during the first laps, with new tyres, I just couldn’t run at their pace. On used tyres my bike was working really well, so I was able to chip away at them and bring that gap back, but it was a little too late. On the last lap I just wasn’t close enough to put a wheel in anywhere. The team did a great job this weekend because the bike worked really well around here; I’m just a little frustrated that I wasn’t able to be faster in the beginning to go with them. Also, at the end of the race, if you want a podium you need to step up and make something happen, but today I just couldn’t do it. Two fourth places are not the end of the world, but certainly a couple of podiums would have been nicer.”
Sylvain Guintoli leads Alex Lowes
Sylvain Guintoli – P5
“It was an interesting day as we tried a completely different setting this morning – that didn’t go well but at least we knew what not to do! We went the other way for race two which was an improvement from yesterday and allowed us to start a bit faster. The pace in the second half was also very good, catching up with the front group. Unfortunately at the end I ran out of front grip as I was pushing very hard and nearly crashed many times. Overall it has been positive as we finished closer than we have recently, the pace was good and more than everything I have enjoyed myself riding the YZF-R1 today. I felt really on the limit with the machine and to find that rhythm again is really important for me, so a good day for us!”
Michael van der Mark
Michael van der Mark – P6
“I’m quite disappointed with today, to be honest. This morning we tried something with the bike that I was sure could have helped us during the race, although during warm up it didn’t look like that. I got a great start to the race but unfortunately I had a small electronic issue that cost me many places. My pace during the race was not exhilarating but not too bad either and, in the end, I was almost as fast as the podium guys and I could even see them in the distance. I’m surely not happy, because I know I could have been much closer to the podium, but now we need to know what happened and get ready for the last round.”
Alex Lowes – P7
“I’m quite disappointed overall with the race because I think the YZF-R1 had really good pace, especially when the temperatures came up. I think we had a good chance, not necessarily at the podium, but a chance to be a lot closer to the fight. I felt quite good and got a decent start, it’s always how it falls on the first couple of corners, but the first three or four laps I felt quite good and then I had a small problem that was preventing me from shifting correctly. I lost my concentration for a bit and was struggling to shift, but rather than retire the bike I chose to ride as well as I could in the situation. The team have worked well all weekend, it was a shame about my mistake yesterday in the first race, and like I said I think the R1 had really good pace and was probably the most competitive it has been all year, so even though we have a seventh place I still feel really disappointed overall.”
Jordi Torres
Jordi Torres – P8
“We changed the front tyre for today’s race, hoping for better durability, but there will still a drop in performance. We did however lap with more consistent lap times compared to yesterday, but the result was very similar in the end. Despite the final outcome, I can be pleased with the fact that I gave it my all, I was more aggressive and I didn’t make any mistakes. Tomorrow we’ll make the most of the test session and use it to try and find some good solutions.”
Anthony West
Anthony West– P9
“My start was good but the clutch started slipping from the first lap and some riders passed me because of this problem. It took me several laps to fix the problem using the lever adjustment but then I started to go fast and I passed some opponents until reaching 9th position. I’m happy because the lap time was as good as the one of the group in front of me but at the same time it was a pity that I couldn’t catch them because of the problem I had at the beginning. The changes we made from yesterday were definitely an improvement for the bike and the setting so for this reason I’m happy.”
Davide Giugliano
Davide Giugliano – P13
“It’s a pity, but we had another difficult race. This morning we found a competitive setup, but the track temperatures during the race were almost twice as high and we lost grip. To make things worse, the right-shoulder injury forced us to drop the pace after a few laps. It was still important to make it to the finish line to score points and gather data. We’ll try some more things in tomorrow’s tests and then I’ll continue the physio treatment to go to Qatar in better shape and make the most of our potential.”
Markus Reiterberger
Markus Reiterberger – P14
“Today’s race was not a good one. I felt OK through the first two laps and had good pace but then I had some problems after passing Giugliano, my sensations with the bike changed and I had difficulties with the front tyre, which almost caused me to crash on more than one occasion. I made a mistake as a result, losing some time, and I am of course very disappointed with fourteenth place. The team is working so hard and I’m sorry the results are not better than they are. I hope we can find something during tomorrow’s tests.”
WorldSSP: Sofuoglu Takes the Crown Five Laps In
Kenan Sofuoglu
Krummenacher out of contention early on, Bassani takes ESS Cup
Kenan Sofuoglu won the race at Jerez and was crowned the 2016 FIM Supersport World Champion just five laps in on Sunday at Jerez, after his Kawasaki Puccetti Racing Teammate Randy Krummenacher crashed out of contention for the title.
Incredibly it is the first time a WorldSSP rider has won back-to-back titles since Sébastien Charpentier did it in 2005 and 2006. Sofuoglu is also now the only rider in history to win the WorldSSP Championship five times.
The Turkish rider defended the tough challenge by Kallio Racing Team’s Niki Tuuli and CIA Landlord Insurance Honda’s Kyle Smith, who tried everything they could to beat the Kawasaki Rider at his own game. But experience won out and they weren’t able to match his incredible pace.
Kenan Sofuoglu – 2016 World Supersport Champion – Jerez
Kenan Sofuoglu – 2016 World Supersport Champion
“I am so proud to have won my fifth championship and I have to say a special thanks to Kawasaki. Some years ago they gave me a good package and good support and since that time I have enjoyed racing a lot more. Then I found the Puccetti Racing team two years ago and this is my second title with them in succession. To do that is incredible and we have won many races. At the beginning of this year I did not know what would happen but we won the championship one race early. Racing is not difficult but fighting for championships is difficult.
Kenan Sofuoglu – Jerez, World SSP Champion – Image by Geebee Images
“Today, when I saw that Randy had crashed I thought that because I was already champion, I could go on to try and win the race. It was my dream to do that at Magny Cours but I achieved it here. Luck was with me today and together with our good potential and good performance, we won the title again.”
Tuuli finished second, Smith came home in third and Honda World Supersport Racing Team’s PJ Jacobsen finished in fourth after catching the podium finishers in the final laps.
Sofuoglu had the holeshot and led from the first corner, focussed only on winning his fifth title. Krummenacher who was running in second, attacked at every opportunity to get in front of Sofuoglu.
The first few laps saw the lead switch between the two Kawasakis before Krummenacher became undone at turn 1 and slid out on lap five. He wasn’t able to continue and officially retired from the race on lap 9, with Sofuoglu automatically being declared Champion of WorldSSP for his second consecutive time.
Kenan Sofuoglu leads Randy Krummenacher
Randy Krummenacher
“I felt very strong in the race and felt a step stronger than those around me. When I got in front I thought if I pushed a little bit more, not too much, then things would be easier today. I was excited, maybe a bit too much, because I lost the front very quick and it was a bit of a surprise. I want to look forward and do well in Qatar. The bike feels good and I cannot wait until the final round. I want to say thanks to Kawasaki and well done for the Manufacturers’ Championship. Congratulations today to Kenan. He did a great job and he really deserves to be champion.”
Further down the order FIM Europe Supersport Cup leader Axel Bassani (San Carlo Team Italia) had a good start and was fighting for sixth position with Jules Cluzel (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) and Ayrton Badovini (GEMAR Balloons – Team Lorini).
The young Italian was able to hold off his Supersport challengers and was able to finish in fifth, after Federico Caricasulo (BARDHAL Evan Bros. Honda Racing) crashed out in the final laps. By being the first ESS rider home, Bassani won the FIM Europe Supersport Cup.
Cluzel finished in sixth ahead of second-placed ESS rider Illia Mykhalchyk (DS Junior Team), with Badovini coming home in eighth. Christoffer Bergman (CIA Landlord Insurance Honda) finished in ninth with Lorenzo Zannetti (GRT Racing) rounding out the top ten.
Third-placed ESS rider to finish was Alessandro Zaccone (San Carlo Team Italia) who placed 11th in the race overall, ahead of Xavier Pinsach (GEMAR Balloons –Team Lorini) in 12th. Hikari Okubo (CIA Landlord insurance Honda) finished in P13 with Luke Stapleford (Profile Racing) in 14th and Zulfahmi Khairuddin (Orelac Racing VerdNatura) picking up a point in P15.
Australian Lachlan Epis finished 23rd and is looking forward to Qatar.
Lachlan Epis
“From the weekend we achieved our goals of a 1.45.9 fastest lap and improved our overall race pace. The whole team got a bit excited Saturday after SP1, upping the target but todays’ track conditions were not there for those faster laps. I had a good race and battle with #23, but he just outfoxed me last lap, the only lap he lead over the line a race long and the only one that matters. Heading to Qatar next Monday for the final race, so still plenty left to do this season.”
Thanks to Sofuoglu’s win, Kawasaki were named Manufacturers’ Champions of the WorldSSP category, joining their WorldSBK counterparts who won the Award on Saturday at Jerez.
Though the Championship has been decided, WorldSSP isn’t over just yet. The field now heads to Qatar for the final round of the 2016 season on the 28th to 30th of October.
Kenan Sofuoglu – Jerez, World SSP Champion – Image by Geebee Images
Scheib Wins Jerez race, De Rosa Wins STK1000 Championship
2016 WorldSBK, Superstock 1000 Champion Raffaele De Rosa – Althea BMW Racing Team
The Italian takes the crown while Mercado watches from the sidelines
The season finale of the STK1000 Cup was already set to be a thriller with the season’s protagonists fighting a close battle all year. Raffaele De Rosa (Althea BMW Racing Team) gave a solid performance in Sunday’s race to finish in the top five to be crowned the winner of the 2016 FIM Superstock 1000 Cup.
Drama struck early on Sunday when Cup leader Leandro Mercado (Aruba.it Racing – Junior Team) broke down on the sighting lap. His team couldn’t get his Ducati restarted so the Argentinean was forced to watch from the sidelines.
The start of the race saw Roberto Tamburini (Nuova M2 Racing) lead into the first corner, while De Rosa got caught up with other riders in turn 2.
2016 WorldSBK, Superstock Jerez Race Winner Maximilian Scheib
Before long, Maximilian Scheib (GRAPHBIKES Easyrace SBK Team) shot to the front and didn’t stop until he crossed the finish line.
Lucas Mahias (PATA Yamaha Official Stock Team) was the only rider to challenge the Chilean and a close battle ensued in the final lap of the race. Mahias stole the lead into the last corner before Scheib found drive coming out to just beat the Frenchman over the line.
Toprak Razgatlioglu (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) gave another solid performance to finish third ahead of early leader Roberto Tamburini who finished fourth. PATA Yamaha Official Stock Team’s Riccardo Russo finished in sixth ahead of seventh-placed Marco Faccani (Triple-M Racing).
Michael Ruben Rinaldi (Aruba.it Racing – Junior Team) came home in eighth ahead of Kevin Calia (Nuova M2 Racing) in ninth, while his teammate Alessandro Nocco rounded out the top ten.
Andrea Mantovani (Guandalini Racing Team) crossed the line in P11 with Fabio Massei (Team Trasimeno) behind in P12. Wayne Tessels (MTM / HS Kawasaki) ended Sunday in P13, while Federico D’Annunzio (FDA Racing Team) finished in P14 and Danny Buchan (Pedercini Racing Kawasaki) picked up the last point in P15.
Australian Bryan Staring on the Agro On-Benjan-Kawasaki retired after seven laps
Though De Rosa won the 2016 FIM Superstock 1000 Cup, it wasn’t enough for BMW to take out the Manufacturers’ Award for the category. A great effort all year by the Ducati riders ensured the Italian manufacturer won the title.
Raffaele De Rosa – Superstock 1000 FIM Champion
“I dedicate this title to my family – who have always supported me even through the difficult times – and to the team, with whom I’ve worked for two years now and I am so grateful for all their help. To be honest, the race wasn’t easy. I’m sorry about what happened to Tati. When I saw he was out, it kind of unnerved me a little, it was so unexpected and I had to change my race strategy as a result. I definitely lapped a little slower than usual, but I was tense and not wanting to make any mistakes of course. I’ve been working towards this for several years and so am extremely happy that the result has arrived after all our efforts…”
Riding and reviewing motorcycles for some time now, Kris writes for MCNews from time to time while also being an awesome all-rounder helping to keep the site content flowing.
