Kenan Sofuoglu returns to WorldSSP action with MV Agusta at Jerez

Retired five-time WorldSSP champion Kenan Sofuoglu returns to action with MV Agusta in Jerez after Bahattin Sofuoglu tests positive for COVID-19.

Robert Jones

26 Jan 2022

Kenan Sofuoglu, Jerez WorldSSP, 24 September 2021
© Gold and Goose

Former five-time WorldSSP champion Kenan Sofuoglu has made a return to action in the intermediate class as he replaces Bahattin Sofuoglu for a two-day test in Jerez.

MV Agusta Reparto Corse signed former WorldSSP300 rider Bahattin for the 2022 season alongside Finnish rider Niki Tuuli, however, the Turkish rider recently tested positive for COVID-19, which led the team to approach his mentor Kenan about riding the newly-homologated for Supersport F3 800 bike.

Sofuoglu, who last competed in a full season during 2017, also made a one-off appearance at round nine of the 2021 for Puccetti Kawasaki (competed in Friday free practice).

"I've always wanted to ride the MV and I'm looking forward to the test," Sofuoglu told Speedweek.com. “I was close to signing with MV Agusta in the past. Back then I had a lot of good fights with [Jules] Cluzel on the MV."

Sofuoglu will have two riders from his training set-up in WorldSSP this season as Bahattin joins ex-Moto3 race winner Can Oncu, whilst in WorldSBK the focus remains on 2021 world champion Toprak Razgatlioglu who could be a MotoGP rider come 2023.

The private Jerez test which began today and ends tomorrow, is not scheduled to be anything more than a one-time outing with the team for the 42-time WorldSSP race winner.

Also in action from the intermediate class is fellow MV Agusta rider Tuuli, Puccetti Kawasaki riders Oncu and Yari Montella, Ana Carrasco for Provec Kawasaki and Ben Currie/Jeffrey Buis from Motozoo Kawasaki.

All WorldSSP riders will be on-track alongside six-time WorldSBK champion Jonathan Rea, Alex Lowes, Lucas Mahais and premier class rookies Iker Lecuona and Xavi Vierge.