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Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/818175
IN THE WIND P44 third winningest rider in WorldSBK history. In the championship points Rea's total of 195 plays Sykes' 131, Davies 111 and Melandri's 97. WorldSSP The start of the five-time champi- on Kenan Sofuoglu's season had been a tale of injury and bad luck with another rider taking him out of a strong position at the Motor- land Aragon round last time out. At Assen, the greatest WorldSSP rider of all time healed his emo- tional hurt with a superb win, after a superb Superpole win at record pace. Sofuoglu hit the front and was never less than the leader, easing up to win by 2.6 seconds. His 39th win extended his all time record and next time—there must surely be a next time—will take him into a whole new legendary status in the 40s. He may not be champion this year, although nobody is running away with it too heavily up front, and only one has made consistent progress in his absence, but So- fuoglu is all about winning races from here to Qatar. He said after his most recent success, "Finally this year I took a win in a race. So from now I can be more relaxed." Behind him a typical Assen Su- persport scrum of riders worked their way back and forward, and occasionally out of contention, with championship leader Lucas Mahias (GRT Yamaha) second in the race to take a 20-point championship lead away with him to France. Another French rider not scared of a WorldSSP podium, Jules Cluzel (CIA Landlord Insur- ance Honda), was third after a tough last chicane tussle with Mahias that was looked at for a while by the powers that be. Patrick Jacobsen (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) was a worthy fourth-place rider, having to work his way through from a little way behind the leaders. "I am happy with the race, even if being out of the podium is not so good for me," said Jacobsen. "I know we have the potential to stay on top. I got some important points for the championship and this is crucial at this stage. We just have to keep positive. My mechanics worked really hard and I would like to repay them with a great race in Imola, which will be MV Agusta's home race." A great 2017 so far for Sheridan Morais on the 2016 Yamaha has seen him on the podium but today he was fifth, leaving him second overall on points. In the championship, Mahias has 65 points, Morais 45, Aussie race winner Roberto Rolfo 41 and Jacobsen 39. Sofuoglu's only score of the year so far puts him ninth. Gordon Richie WSBK Race 1 1. Jonathan Rea (Kaw) 2. Tom Sykes (Kaw) 3. Marco Melandri (Duc) 4. Xavi Fores (Duc) 5. Lorenzo Savadori (Apr) WSBK Race 2 1. Jonathan Rea (Kaw) 2. Tom Sykes (Kaw) 3. Chaz Davies (Duc) 4. Michael van der Mark (Hon) 5. Alex Lowes (Yam) WSSP 1. Kenan Sofuoglu (Kaw) 2. Lucas Mahias (Yam) 3. Jules Cluzel (Hon) 4. PJ Jacobsen (MV) 5. Sheridan Morais (Yam) Kenan Sofuoglu came away with another victory in WorldSSP.