Core Honda’s PJ Jacobsen has taken his first-ever World Supersport win at the Sepang World Superbike round after a race long, enthralling duel with Jules Cluzel (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) raged from start to finish at the 5.543km circuit. The result means that the Thai based team have won both races in Asia this year.
From the start championship leader Kenan Sofuoglu (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) surged to the front only to outbrake himself at turn 1, dropping to 7th. The Turkish rider ended the opening lap 5th before setting about closing the gap to the leading duo who began to open a small advantage at the head of the field.
By half distance Sofuoglu had bridged the gap meaning the top three riders in the overall championship were in contention for the victory until the Turk began to lose touch, falling into the clutches of Lorenzo Zanetti (MV Agusta Reparto Corse).
PJ Jacobsen, the American who scored his maiden Pole Position yesterday held his nerve despite the intense pressure from Cluzel to win for the first time in World Supersport by 0.091s at the flag. In doing so he becomes the first American rider to ever win a WSS race and he keeps himself very much in the title fight. Cluzel took second ahead of team mate Zanetti who overtook Sofuoglu at the final corner.
Behind the top four Pata Honda’s Kyle Smith finished a lonely 5th ahead of the equally lonely Roberto Rolfo (Team Lorini) who was 6th.
A trio of riders decided positions 7th to 9th with Martin Cardenas getting the better of his CIA Landlords Insurance team mate Gino Rea and Christian Gamarino (Team Go Eleven). Alex Baldolini (Race Department ATK#25) rounded out the top ten.
Dominic Schmitter (Team Go Eleven), Fabio Menghi (VFT Racing), Kevin Wahr (SMS Honda), Aiden Wagner (CIA Landlords Insurance) and Marcos Ramirez (Team Lorini) were 11th to 15th respectively, completing the point scorers.
In the overall championship standings Sofuoglu still leads but by a reduced margin of 13 points.
