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The official race report service of Kawasaki Racing Team.

23 Februar 2023

New Season New Potential For Öncü

Kawasaki Puccetti Racing rider Can Öncü will shortly begin his 2023 FIM Supersport World Championship campaign at Phillip Island in Australia, with Round One being held between 24-26 February.

Öncü is the sole focus for Kawasaki’s official WorldSSP entry this year, although other top class riders will compete on Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R machines. All are eager for podium glory and strong championship finishes.

Can finished the 2022 season in third place overall, with eight podium finishes on his Ninja. This year he has the aims of winning his first WorldSSP races and being even more competitive in the overall championship fight. He will be aided in his ambition by recent technical upgrades to the Ninja ZX-6R machine, including a ride-by-wire throttle system which is being used for the first time.

Race weekend in Phillip Island was preceded by an official two-day test, on 20 and 21 February. Can finished third fastest overall and declared himself ready to race to win when the action starts for real.

The popular 4.445km long Phillip Island circuit on the south coast of the Australian mainland returns as the season opener in 2023, following fast on the heels of its status as the venue that hosted the final round of the 2022 season.

There will be no time to rest after the completion of the Phillip Island race weekend as the second round of the championship takes place at the Mandalika circuit in Indonesia between 3-5 March.

Can Öncü, stated: “I’m really pleased with what we got done over the last two days of winter testing. We’ve improved in many areas and the bike is very competitive. We’ve found a good setup that adapts perfectly to my riding style, and I’d say we’re ready to take on this first round as frontrunners. We’ll be going all out to win.”

Adrian Huertas (MTM Kawasaki) enters his second WorldSSP season in 2023 and he will be joined at Phillip Island by new signing John McPhee (Vince64 by Puccetti Racing Kawasaki).

Some Kawasaki WorldSSP competitors will race in the WorldSSP Challenge only, which means they will compete in the European-based races, but not the long hauls. Tom Booth-Amos and Luke Power (both Motozoo Racing by Puccetti) and Yuta Okaya (Prodina Kawasaki Racing WorldSSP) will therefore commence their seasons at Round Three in Assen, between 21-23 April.

                                                 #NinjaSpirit