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The official race report service of Kawasaki Racing Team.

7 Septembre 2022

France Restarts Montella And Öncü’s Ambitions

Kawasaki Puccetti Racing team-mates Can Öncü and Yari Montella will put the long summer break firmly behind them when the face up to the seventh round of the FIM Supersport World Championship at Magny Cours this coming weekend.

Öncü, now a seasoned WorldSSP rider despite his teenage years, was on the Magny Cours podium last season. His third place in Race Two was the first of his current total of five career WorldSSP podium finishes.

Even Can’s rookie team-mate Montella has had a small taste of the Magny Cours layout, during a recent test day, so this will not be a completely new circuit for him to learn during Free Practice One on Friday 9 September.

It has been six weeks since the previous round at the Autodrom Most in the Czech Republic, an event where Can came close to scoring another podium to add to his current 2022 total of two. A perfect weekend for Can would see him win his first race in this category of racing.

Öncü is fourth in the championship standings, and the top Kawasaki rider, with 112 points.

Montella has come close to the podium places more than once in 2022 already, leaving him a clear ambition to satisfy when he approaches the French races on Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 September.

Yari is fifth in the championship fight, proving that he has made a strong start to his WorldSSP career despite only half a season of experience.

There will be just one free weekend for the WorldSSP riders after the conclusion of the Magny Cours weekend, as the Barcelona - Catalunya round takes place between 23-25 September.

Can Öncü, stated: “The summer break allowed me to rest but also gave me the time to train so that I’m ready for the second part of the season. I really like the Magny Cours track and was able to reach the podium there last year. This weekend, I want to maintain the utmost concentration to try and fight for the win. I know the weather’s often unstable here - and I’m hoping for a dry track - but I can be competitive in the wet too.”

Yari Montella, stated: “I can’t wait to get back on track because the summer break was very long and I miss racing. I’ve not stopped training and so will definitely be ready for this French round. I completed a day’s testing at this track in August and so I have some knowledge of it. I hope to start strong on Friday and work together with my team to find the best set-up for my bike.”

WorldSSP rookies Adrian Huertas (MTM Kawasaki) and Tom Booth-Amos (Prodina Racing Kawasaki) will be out for season-best results as they attack the challenging but enjoyable Magny Cours layout. Adrian is ninth in the championship standings.

Ben Currie and Jeffrey Buis (Motozoo Racing by Puccetti Kawasaki) make up two more strong riders on Kawasaki machinery as the season is about to click over into its second half.

                                        #NinjaSpirit