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Eugene Laverty claimed his first-ever FIM World Supersport victory when he outpaced reigning champion Andrew Pitt down the final straight at the Losail International Circuit in Qatar.The Irishman had been involved in a see-sawing battle with the HANNspree Ten Kate Honda's of Pitt and Kenan Sofuoglu before drawing away from the former in a sprint finish.Pitt had looked like he might wrestle the win...

Cal Crutchlow will start the second round of the FIM Supersport World Championship from pole position after recording the fastest time in qualifying in Qatar.The Yamaha World Supersport rider set a time of two minutes 1.586 seconds and will start from pole position.A trio of Honda riders - Eugene Laverty (Parkalgar) and Hannspree Ten Kate duo Kenan Sofuoglu and Andrew Pitt - complete the front row...

Yamaha rider Cal Crutchlow set the best qualifying lap time on day one of the FIM World Supersport Championship round two in Qatar.The British rider was the fastest around the Losail circuit with a time of two minutes 2.634 seconds.Crutchlow edged out the Yamaha of team-mate Fabien Foret with the Honda of round one winner Kenan Sofuoglu third and Matthieu Lagrive fourth.Mark Aitchison, Joan Lascor...

Former title holder Kenan Sofuoglu hopes for a winning return to the Losail circuit as he bids to keep his FIM Supersport World Championship challenge on the right track.The Hannspree Ten Kate Honda rider won the opening round at Phillip Island in Australia and aims to keep on winning when the series moves to Qatar.He said: "I won the Supersport race in 2007 so I like the circuit."The te...

Kenan Sofuoglu led home a Honda podium clean sweep as the 2009 FIM Supersport World Championship kicked off with an entertaining first race at Phillip Island in Australia.The Hannspree Ten Kate Honda rider found himself part of a remarkable train of 15 bikes at the head of the field with none of the riders willing to over-commit their tyres too early in the 21-lap race.The 24-year-old Turk slipped...

Kenan Sofuoglu's bid to reclaim his FIM Supersport World Championship crown got off to a perfect start as he claimed pole position for Sunday's season opener at Phillip Island.The 2007 champion set a new lap record of one minute 34.320 seconds to take the honours for Honda, over three tenths of a second clear of Spanish youngster Joan Lascorz (Kawasaki). Reigning champion Andrew Pitt (Honda) took ...

Reigning FIM Supersport World Championship champion Andrew Pitt picked up from where he left off last season as he recorded the quickest time in qualifying for the first round of the season in Australia on Friday.The new season began in ideal conditions at Phillip Island and Australian Pitt made good on his home track to lap in a best time of one minute 34.833 seconds.Pitt's Hannspree Ten Kate Hon...

Andrew Pitt does not believe the standard in the FIM Supersport World Championship has been weakened by the departures of Josh Brookes and Jonathan Rea to the superbike series.Brookes and Rea were Pitt's closest challengers last season when he took the supersport world title but their departures do not mean the Australian will find things any easier.The HANNspree Ten Kate Honda rider points to the...

Veteran rider Gianluca Nanelli has been impressed by the Triumph 675 he will be racing for the BE-1 Racing team in the FIM Supersport World Championship.The 35-year-old Italian has decided to switch to a three-cylinder machine for 2009 after campaigning twins (Ducati) and fours (Yamaha and Honda) in the past, taking four podium finishes.Nanelli said: "I was impressed by the determination and ...

Michele Pirro is in bullish mood ahead of the opening round of the FIM Supersport World Championship after posting impressive testing times at Cartagena.The Team Yamaha Lorenzini by Leoni rider was part of a three-man line-up testing a new Pirelli tyre at the Spanish circuit, and posted a best lap of one minute 35.5 seconds.The 22-year-old Pirro admitted that a winter's rest had taken its toll on ...