FIM Supersport World Championship leader Kenan Sofuoglu moved even further ahead in the standings with his fifth race win of the 2016 season and the 37^th victory of his long WorldSSP career at the Lausitzring over the weekend.

Starting from pole, the Kawasaki Puccetti Racing rider took the holeshot but it was young Finnish rider Niki Tuuli who brought the challenge to Sofuoglu and led for the first two laps. Before long, Sofuoglu asserted his dominance and retook the lead by trying to pull away and eventually winning in typical style, with a 1.7 second margin. The important 25 victory points adding to his 53 point lead over teammate Randy Krummenacher in the overall standings.

Despite such an impressive win, Sofuoglu admits he had problems with grip throughout the race. “After six or seven laps I had a real grip problem, so much spinning and vibration. We chose a different rear tyre option, the harder one; to have an easier full race pace, but it did not happen the way we expected. It was important to manage this race well and that’s exactly what I did. It was important for us to take the 25 points and I kept pushing to the end. I was thinking that if I won today it would help a lot in Magny Cours, at the next round. It was very important to win this race so I am very happy and very proud to give my team another win. It’s 25 points that are important for my fifth title.”

While the rest of his competitors didn’t stand a chance all weekend at the Pirelli German Round, the performance of Finnish wildcard Niki Tuuli impressed not only the spectators but also Sofuoglu himself. “I was surprised that Tuuli was so strong because I kept riding low 1’41 laps and he didn’t give up,” said the Turk. “When we were in the last five laps I was thinking maybe I have to give up the fight because for the championship I need to be careful. Then I thought this is a good chance, if I win this it will help me to get the title at Magny Cours, so that’s why I didn’t give up.”

Sofuoglu now looks to take his title fight to Magny-Cours in France where he could potentially take out his fifth FIM Supersport World Championship title, as long as he finishes ahead of teammate Randy Krummenacher, at the next Round at the end of September.