Can Oncu takes second WorldSSP pole of the year with new lap record at Most
Can Öncü secured pole position in the World Supersport class on Friday afternoon at Autodrom Most. During the Superpole session, the Turkish rider not only completed an impressive race run but also set a new lap record, earning his second pole position of the season. Teammate Yuki Okamoto qualified in 26th place.
Under cool but dry conditions, the fifth round of the FIM Supersport World Championship got underway on Friday at Autodrom Most. Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing made a strong start to the first day in the Czech Republic, with Öncü setting the second-fastest time in free practice, while Okamoto finished 25th.
In the afternoon the Superpole session took place, where Öncü posted a 1:33.802, setting a new World Supersport lap record at Autodrom Most. It marks Öncü’s second pole position of the year and his sixth in the World Supersport class, giving him the best possible starting position for Saturday’s Race 1.
For Okamoto, this weekend marks a return to familiar territory, and with a 1:35.649 he qualified in 26th place for the first World Supersport race of the weekend.
Can Öncü (P1 – 1’33,802):
“I am very happy with this pole position. In the previous races we have already started to find some confidence and now we did another big step. In free practice we just focused on making laps and enjoying on the bike, while in Superpole we tried to make a clean lap. I think it would have been possible to do an even better lap time, but now we are just focusing on improving ourselves for tomorrow’s race. Anyway, with pole position we can be satisfied but now we need to make it happen in the race as well.”
Yuki Okamoto (P26 – 1’35,649 | +1,847):
“It was a very tough day for me. I improved my riding but the lap time was not good. We will keep working for tomorrow and push together with the team to achieve a good result.”
Kervin Bos – Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing team manager:
“Pole position is in the bag — our second of the year. It was an incredibly strong Friday from Can, who already looked competitive in free practice and completed a long run that was even longer than race distance. In qualifying, the focus was once again on race pace, and those runs were very strong. On top of that he managed to secure pole position as well, so it was a perfect Friday for us.
Yuki had a decent first day here in Most. He is losing quite a bit of time in two specific sections, while everything else looks alright. The focus will be on improving those two areas, and hopefully we can continue the upward trend tomorrow.”
Fourth consecutive podium finish for Oncu after intense battle in Race 1 at Most
Can Öncü finished second on Saturday afternoon in the first World Supersport race at Autodrom Most. The Turkish rider led in the early stages of the race before becoming involved in an intense battle, eventually crossing the line in second place. Teammate Yuki Okamoto finished nineteenth in Race 1.
The first World Supersport race got underway at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday afternoon, covering nineteen laps at Autodrom Most. Temperatures were slightly higher than on Friday, and under sunny conditions Öncü made a strong start to the race. After a good launch, he took over the lead in lap two, after which a fierce battle for the lead unfolded.
Öncü did an impressive job holding off the competition, but in the closing stages he had to let a small gap open to the race leader. However, the Turkish rider was still able to keep his rivals behind him in the battle for second place, securing his fourth consecutive podium finish. In the championship standings, Öncü has now moved up to fourth place.
Thanks to a strong start, Okamoto was also able to make up several positions early on before settling into a consistent pace. The Japanese rider eventually crossed the line in nineteenth place, showing a solid recovery after a difficult weekend in Hungary.
Can Öncü (P2 | +0,639):
“It was a very good race. We were having some big battles and I tried to escape, but it wasn’t possible because there were more riders with a very strong pace. I tried to stay in the leading group and I wanted to attack in the final part of the race, but that wasn’t possible because the distance was too big to try to make an overtake in the braking zone. It was a bit too dangerous to do it, so I settled for second. Today it was like this, but tomorrow is another opportunity. It was important to be on the podium, because it also means a lot of points. I want to say thanks to the team, because we stepped up during these last races. Let’s have another strong race tomorrow.”
Yuki Okamoto (P19 | +25,069):
“Today was a bit better than yesterday. We improved in some areas, but I still need to keep learning and improving step by step. I want to say thank you to my team for the great work they have done for me. We will continue our hard work and push again tomorrow.”
Kervin Bos – Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing team manager:
“It was a strong first race day here in Most with another podium for Can. He rode intelligently and with great composure, and he was the highest-placed Yamaha rider. We will look at where we can fine-tune things for tomorrow and make the final improvements needed to fight for victory. Can did exactly what he needed to do with this second place.
Yuki rode his best race of the year and made a huge step forward from Friday to Saturday. We hope he can make another step tomorrow and hopefully score his first points of the season. The team performed well today, and I’m confident we can provide the riders with an even better package tomorrow.”
Can Oncu finishes second again in Race 2 at Most, Okamoto scores first WorldSSP points
Can Öncü once again finished second in Sunday afternoon’s second World Supersport race at Autodrom Most. In an extremely exciting race, the Turkish rider battled for victory all the way to the finish line, ultimately falling just 0.056 seconds short. Yuki Okamoto scored his first WorldSSP points by finishing thirteenth at the Czech circuit.
After an eventful Race 1 on Saturday afternoon, Race 2 took place on Sunday afternoon in Most. Conditions were once again favourable, although cool at the Czech circuit. Starting from fifth on the grid, Öncü got away well and immediately positioned himself at the front of the group. The Turkish rider led the race on multiple occasions as an intense battle unfolded.
As the race progressed, Öncü broke away together with fellow competitor Valentin Debise, with the two battling all the way to the finish line. In the sprint to the chequered flag, Öncü ultimately lacked just a little top speed, crossing the line in second place, only 0.056 seconds behind his rival. It marked his fifth consecutive podium finish and the 35th podium of his career. In the championship standings, Öncü has now climbed to fourth place, trailing the championship leader by just 38 points.
Yuki Okamoto made a strong start from 26th on the grid and steadily worked his way forward throughout the race. The Japanese rider maintained a consistent pace and passed his rivals one by one, eventually crossing the finish line in thirteenth place. It marks his best result so far in the World Supersport class and earns him his first World Championship points.
Can Öncü (P2 | +0,056):
“First of all I want to say that I’m very happy. Just a few races ago we were a bit lost, and now we’re very close to the win and we’ve had some very nice races. We are putting in a lot of effort and it seems to pay off. I want to say a big thanks to the team because they work very late many times to find solutions to the problems we have, and give me an incredible bike to race. I’m very happy and now we’re closer in the championship as well.”Yuki Okamoto (P13 | +20,275):
“Honestly, I didn’t expect to be scoring my first points today. It feels very special. Big thanks to my team for all their support they have given me. Not just during this weekend, but since the first moment I joined them. I will keep learning and improving, and continue working towards the next event.”Kervin Bos – Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing team manager:
“This was our strongest weekend so far in 2026. Yuki scored his first points in a strong race where he fought his way forward on his own merit. Hats off to him, because it has been a difficult start for him in this championship. This weekend, he managed to turn things around, and from Friday afternoon onward we really made significant progress. It was a very strong weekend from him and his side of the garage.Can rode a phenomenal race and pushed all the way to the limit. He made no mistakes and ensured he brought the bike home to the finish. Another P2 and another incredibly strong weekend. We couldn’t ask for more from him. Performing at such a high level without making mistakes is simply tremendously impressive. On top of that, we’ve also made some important strides for the championship, and we’re already really looking forward to heading to Aragón.”
The next round of the FIM Supersport World Championship will take place from May 29–31 at MotorLand Aragón in Spain.