Five-time WorldSSP champion Kenan Sofuoglu has announced that he will be retiring after this weekend.
His last race will be this weekend at the Pata Italian Round from 11 to 13 May 2018 in Imola, Italy.
The Turkish rider will be focusing on other things particularly his family and riding school.
If you’re a passionate follower of the WorldSBK and WorldSSP, you would know who Kenan Sofuoglu is. Hailing from Turkey, he has dominated the intermediate class with 43 wins and five championship titles. After this weekend, the champion will be retiring from the sport.
The fifth round which is happening from 11 to 13 May 2018 in Imola, Italy will be the final time Sofuoglu will race in the WorldSSP category. The retirement has been said to be long overdue for the Turkish rider as he wants to focus on other things, particularly his family.
It is also a fact that the injuries he sustained from 2015 never really healed completely for Sofuoglu to really recover back to competition level. Last year’s broken hip acquired in France was like the final nail in the coffin and basically robbed him of his sixth championship title.
According to the official press statement released by Kawasaki Racing, “As how the President wishes I am going to retire from racing this weekend. I will celebrate my 20 years of racing anniversary this weekend! Last couple of months I had a few injures which made my family very afraid, also our President. We decide to retire from racing earlier then what I was thinking.”
“I can’t say I am sad because I have already a few Turkish riders which I trained to race and carry our flag. Twenty years ago I started my racing career with a goal to race in the world championships. We won five times the world title. I am very thankful for that.”
“Many people supported me while winning these titles I want to thank everyone for that. For Kawasaki Puccetti Racing Team and for my fans I will be last time on the track on 12-13 May in Italy.”
As part of his retirement plan, Kenan Sofuoglu will be focusing on training local talents in his home country at his riding school. He will still remain with the Kawasaki Puccetti Racing team to help out with things around the paddock. All the best, Kenan! #ThankYouKenan
