In an interview on the WorldSBK Instagram account, FIM Supersport World Championship rider and 2019 Champion Randy Krummenacher (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) talks about the level of competition in WorldSSP in 2020, his on-track rivals and the test he recently completed at Misano for Barni Racing Team.

As reigning Champion, Krummenacher is no stranger to competition from other riders. In 2019 he faced fierce competition from Federico Caricasulo (GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Junior Team) and Jules Cluzel (GMT94 Yamaha) as he won the Championship just six points ahead of Caricasulo. Discussing his rivals in WorldSSP, Krummenacher said: “There are many riders who are fast. Andrea Locatelli (BARDAHL Evan Bros. WorldSSP Team) immediately won the first race he ever did in Supersport, so he’s very strong.

“Jules is very strong, a lot of experience. Lucas Mahias (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) and also Corentin Perolari (GMT94 Yamaha), sometimes he has really strong races. At the end I want to be the best again and I’m really working hard to do that. I think the level this year is even higher than last year. I can’t wait to race again, and I really hope we can go as soon as possible.

“Federico is a very strong rider; he was very fast, and I have to thank him because I got my level of riding on a higher level thanks to him. He really pushed my hard. I have to say, in 2016, I was teammate of Kenan Sofuoglu and he has very strong, very experienced. He pushed me as well very hard. At the end of the year he was the best rider and I got third. I would say Kenan and of course Federico.”

Discussing his chances of defending his current World Championship, Krummenacher said: “It’s not going to be easy. I have to continue to grow, getting faster and stronger. I continue my programme, riding my training bikes, I continue working with my team to develop the bike with my feedback, using my experience. We are well prepared. With hard work we can win again.”

Krummenacher recently tested a Ducati Panigale V4 R with Barni Racing Team as part of the team’s preparation to get back racing. Krummenacher said: “It was a great experience. Thanks to many people I could’ve done this test on the Ducati. Three months without racing, I just had a small test close to my home with the MV Supersport then headed up to Misano to ride a very powerful Ducati which was not easy, but I think I did okay.”

Swiss rider Krummenacher is not getting ahead of himself with the test and keeping his focus fully on World Supersport. He said: “I’m fully focussed this year to win the Supersport again with MV. It’s a lot of work to do, we need to go testing soon and I’m following this project and fully focused. I don’t really want to already think about the future or next year. I loved to do this test with the Superbike and enjoyed it a lot. I think I showed many people that I can ride a Superbike well. That’s enough for me for the moment. Let’s see what the future holds. Never say no.”

You can watch Krummenacher’s title defence and more WorldSSP action using the WorldSBK VideoPass!