Can Oncu claims third pole position at Misano

Can Öncü claimed pole position on Friday afternoon in the World Supersport class at the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli. The Turkish rider was the fastest in the Superpole session, securing his third pole position of the season. Teammate Yuki Okamoto qualified in 31^st place.

The seventh round of the FIM Supersport World Championship got underway on a sunny and warm Friday at the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli for Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing. After a strong start in Free Practice, the pace increased significantly during the afternoon Superpole session, which determined the starting grid for Race 1.

With a lap time of 1’36.755, Öncü topped the timesheets at the end of the session, earning his third pole position of the year and the seventh of his career. Following two disappointing races at MotorLand Aragón, both the Turkish rider and Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing are eager to return to success, with a podium finish firmly set as the target.

On the other side of the garage, Yuki Okamoto experienced a more challenging first day at Misano. The Japanese rider ultimately set the 31^st-fastest time in the highly competitive Superpole session, leaving him with a difficult task ahead in Race 1.

Can Öncü (P1 – 1’36,755):
“I am very happy with this pole position, especially after the weekend we had in Aragón. We had a good qualifying there but we couldn’t do much after the penalty in Saturday’s warm up. Today we started well in Free Practice and continued like that in the Superpole session. We were building up our pace and managed to set a very strong lap time towards the end. Now we need to make sure we actually start from the first position and then I will just try to enjoy tomorrow’s Race 1.”

Yuki Okamoto (P31 – 1’38,863 | +2,108):
“It was a very tough start to the weekend. I still have many things to improve and I will focus on that for tomorrow’s race. I will keep working hard and hopefully it will be a better day for us tomorrow.”

Kervin Bos – Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing team manager:
“The conditions here in Misano are tropical, at a circuit where we always enjoy coming. Can secured pole position after his strongest Friday of the year, showing both excellent race pace and several very fast flying laps. He completed three nearly identical laps that were all close to his pole time, so he is ready to race.

On Yuki’s side, we made major changes to the bike after Free Practice in the morning, and in the Superpole session he was no less than 1.2 seconds faster. I think we have now found a good working window, and we will see how we can best prepare for tomorrow’s race. We are ready.”

Can Oncu back on the podium after a strong Race One in hot Misano, Okamoto finishes 20th

Can Öncü finished third in the opening World Supersport race at the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli on Saturday afternoon. The Turkish rider led the race in the early stages but lost some ground during the second half, eventually securing his sixth podium finish of the season. Teammate Yuki Okamoto crossed the line in twentieth place.

The first World Supersport race of the weekend got underway on Saturday afternoon at the sunny and very warm Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli, covering a distance of eighteen laps. With an ambient temperature of 30°C and track temperatures exceeding 50°C, conditions were highly demanding for both riders and machinery.

Thanks to an excellent start, Öncü made full use of his pole position and immediately took the lead. The Turkish rider soon came under heavy pressure but defended well, responding to every attack. As the race progressed, it became clear that his two main rivals had a stronger race pace, making it crucial to secure a podium finish. Öncü managed this perfectly, claiming his sixth podium result of the season.

Yuki Okamoto also enjoyed a strong opening phase, gaining several positions during the race. The Japanese rider eventually finished in twentieth place.

Can Öncü (P3 | +5,156):
“It was a nice race with some good battles in the beginning. As the race progressed, a small gap started to emerge and I wasn’t able to stay with the front group. Now we have to analyse where we were losing some time, and then we need to make sure that we’re stronger tomorrow. I am not very happy because I want more, but a podium is still a good result.”

Yuki Okamoto (P20 | +33,167):
“Today’s race gives me a bit more confident heading into tomorrow. I learned a lot from this race and found some areas where I can improve tomorrow. We will keep working hard and do our best again.”

Kervin Bos – Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing team manager:
“Can finished on the podium again, and if you can’t win the race, you need to be on the podium. That was our objective today, and we achieved it. Our rivals had phenomenal race pace, and Can lost touch when several extremely fast laps were set in the second half of the race. At that point, you know the front group is gone here in Misano. Fortunately, he defended third place very well with a strong closing phase, keeping several riders behind him. Yuki also rode a good race and was able to move forward through the field, but now we’re already looking ahead to tomorrow’s race.”

A disappointing end to a positive weekend in Misano for Ten Kate Racing

Can Öncü finished tenth in the second World Supersport race on Sunday afternoon at the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli. After battling for a podium position in the early stages, the Turkish rider dropped back during the second half of the race, preventing him from repeating Saturday’s success. Teammate Yuki Okamoto crossed the finish line in 28^th place.

Under even hotter conditions than on Saturday, the second World Supersport race of the weekend got underway at 15:15 on Sunday afternoon, covering a distance of eighteen laps. Starting from ninth on the grid, Öncü once again made a strong start and immediately gained several positions. By lap six, the Turkish rider had climbed to fourth place, but as the race progressed he gradually lost ground and slipped down the order.

Despite defending his position fiercely, Öncü eventually dropped back to tenth place. The six points he scored bring his total to 159 for the season, leaving him 92 points behind the championship leader.

Starting from 31^st on the grid, Okamoto faced a difficult challenge from the outset. The Japanese rider gained three positions on the opening lap, but 28^th place was ultimately the best result he could achieve.

Can Öncü (P10 | +10,240):
“It was not an easy race for me today. I was struggling with the tyres, especially at the end of the race. After yesterday’s podium it is difficult to accept this result, but that’s racing. We will never give up and we’ll come back stronger next time. Let’s forget this Race 2 and focus on the next round at Donington Park. I want to thank the team for all their efforts this weekend.”

Yuki Okamoto (P28 | +31,035):
“I gave everything I had today, but unfortunately it was a very difficult race again. The positive thing is that we know what didn’t work and this will help us to improve for the next race. A big thanks to my team for all their support. I will not give up and we’ll keep pushing hard.”

Kervin Bos – Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing team manager:
“We leave Misano with mixed feelings. We are not satisfied with a tenth-place finish for Can and a 28^th-place finish for Yuki. It is not yet clear why we ended up in these positions. Sometimes you have to take it on the chin, and the only thing you can do is analyse what happened and come back stronger next time. We are heading home now and will refocus for Donington.”

The next round of the FIM Supersport World Championship will take place from 10–12 July at Donington Park in England.