The first two thirds of the 2014 World Supersport campaign have not been easy for Jack Kennedy (CIA Insurance Honda), who broke the talus bone in his right leg during the pre-season tests at Phillip Island last February. Since then, the Irishman has done his best to recover as quickly as possible and then to get back to full fitness, but it was not until the Portuguese Round that he finally managed to show his full potential by scoring a long awaited maiden podium finish in WSS.

The former BSS runner-up then showed great speed once again in the most recent round, finishing fourth in an exciting and thrilling race at Jerez. WorldSBK.com spoke with Kennedy ahead of the penultimate round of the season, scheduled for next weekend at Magny-Cours (France).

After the maiden podium you scored a Portimao, you were again able to fight at the front at Jerez. Are things finally going the way you want?

“Things couldn’t be better, I’m really enjoying racing.  We are on our game all the time as a team and the results have started to come. The podium at Portimao was a great reward for all our hard work and now that the podium duck is broken, we’re hungry for more.”

What is your mood heading into the last two races of the season?

“Very positive, I’ve everything to play for.  Physically I am at my strongest now and the CIA Insurance Honda is working great so rostrum finishes are definitely within reach.  I’d really love to stand on the top step before the season is out and I have everything I need, bike, team and the desire, to make that happen.” 

The last race was hectic and many riders could have won it. You battled hard and narrowly missed out the podium. Did you feel that you could have won the race if you could catch the top 3 earlier?

Quite possibly, Jerez was a crazy race but so much fun and it was a great race to be part of.  I think we were all pretty evenly matched every lap and the pace never let up so it was hard to call who was going to win it. Again we were battling at the front from start to finish and although it was disappointing not to get a podium, it was a hard earned fourth place.  I’d also just like to say congratulations to Michael van der Mark and Honda on winning the WSS championship this year.

What are your plans for the future? Where would you like to see yourself racing next year? And with what team/manufacturer?

“I’m weighing up my options at the moment but nothing is decided yet. I’ve been with Honda for the past two seasons so it would be good to stay with the same manufacturer.   I’ve always wanted to win the World Supersport Championship so I think the timing is right to stay in WSS as I’ve shown I can fight at the front and have the experience needed to make me a strong title contender next year.”