WSS Preview: Krummenacher looking to boss it in Thailand

World Supersport rookie Randy Krummenacher rode his new Kawasaki brilliantly in difficult conditions at Phillip Island, with the Swiss rider inheriting a well-deserved lead to cross the line more than two and a half seconds clear of the pack and taking his first win in WorldSSP on the first attempt. The Swiss rider and Championship leader has never ridden at Chang before and will be hoping to get up to speed quickly to retain his advantage over his WorldSSP veteran teammate.

4-time and defending WorldSSP Champion Kenan Sofuoglu suffered a tyre problem when out in front in Australia, leaving the Turkish rider with no points to show for a weekend of searing pace. After setting pole in the first ever Tissot-Superpole sessions for WorldSSP, the Puccetti rider was out in the lead when rain started to fall and a tyre problem saw him lowside out of the race. With the pace there for the reigning Champion, will Chang see him return to his throne? Sofuoglu set pole last year in Buriram and came home second in the race, his first podium of the year on the way to the title.

Sofuoglu’s key rival in the last few years, Jules Cluzel on the MV Agusta, had a difficult weekend at Phillip Island, crashing out of the race in Australia after making an incredible start and leading from 8^th on the grid. Also leading much of the WorldSSP race before a technical problem last year in Thailand bodes well for him to begin his title challenge proper, hoping to catch the Puccetti pair for the first time this season: Sofuoglu on pace and Krummenacher on points.

WorldSSP action kicks off on Sunday at 14:20 local time (7:20am GMT), after Friday practices define entry into Tissot-Superpole 2 on Saturday afternoon. Stay on top of everything onWorldSBK.com and on the free Live Experience App, and make sure to follow @WorldSBK for all the updates from Round 2.