Champions Week on WorldSBK.com continues with Chapter 4. This time, we profile Kenan Sofuoglu: gutsy and imperturbable on the track, kind-hearted and civil off it, the Turk overcame a tremendous personal tragedy en route to his fourth crown in the FIM Supersport World Championship of 2015.

Who is Kenan Sofuoglu?
With a splendid quartet of World Supersport titles under his belt, Sofuoglu hardly needs an introduction. Nobody else has won even three championships in the category, while he tops the leaderboard for virtually every statistic and record there is. Born in the Turkish town of Akyazi 31 years ago, he first competed in WorldSSP in 2003. His title years were 2007, 2010, 2012 and 2015. Who would bet against him taking a fifth in 2016?

How did he win the 2015 title?
Almost unbelievably, with an audacious and heroic mix of courage, natural talent and blind faith in the most difficult circumstances imaginable. He was nudged off the track in the Phillip Island opener but soon celebrated four consecutive wins: Aragon, Assen, Donington Park and Imola, while chief rival Jules Cluzel kept being hit by technical problems. The Frenchman reeled in the advantage as the season continued, but suffered serious leg injuries in a Friday crash at Jerez and was cruelly ruled out of contention. Sofuoglu sealed the title with second place in France, the penultimate event of the season. He dedicated the championship to late baby son Hamza, who had become gravely ill before the Imola round; his father fought on and continued to do so following his only son’s tragic passing, before the event in Malaysia.

What will he be doing next year?
Remaining in the same category and with the same Kawasaki Puccetti Racing team. This time, he will share the garage with Switzerland’s Randy Krummenacher who steps across from Grand Prix racing. Sofuoglu may well be aiming for a fifth championship win, but he is attempting to do something he has never done before: collect back-to-back titles.

Did you know?
Sofuoglu has long since been a celebrity and motorcycle idol in his homeland. After winning his fourth world title this year, it was proposed by the Turkish Motorcycle Federation that he – along with friend and Superstock 600 Champion Toprak Razgatlioglu – should be granted status of ‘national hero’. Both riders race number 54, which is the postcode of Sofuoglu’s hometown of Akyazi.