Starting from tenth place on the Race One grid at the Jerez season finale in WorldSSP, Can was soon up to sixth and running as a part of the main leading group for the first two laps.

On Lap three an attempted overtake by Öncü into the T13 hairpin saw him make contact with Jorge Navarro and both riders would fall. Can got going again but was given a double long lap penalty.

He served his sanction, rejoined the race, and then pitted once again near the end and fitted fresh tyres to try and record a fast lap time. In 2024 the fastest laps from Race One - not the final race results - determine the top nine grid positions for Race Two. As a result of this extra pitstop, he would finish in 23rd place in Race One, and one lap down on the leaders.

Can was originally unsure if he would even be able to race at all, after suffering a deep knee wound at the previous round at Estoril in Portugal, just a few days ago. Passed fit to race he had actually been fastest in one Friday session, before qualifying tenth in Superpole on Friday afternoon.

Guillermo Moreno (Viamo by MTM Kawasaki) rode the Ninja ZX-6R for a second time this weekend and in Race One finished 22nd, having been 30th in Superpole.


Can Öncü, stated: “We made a mistake and crashed, but until this time we were in the front group fighting with the top guys. Even though I got a double long lap penalty we took it and then we came in to put in fresh tyres. We went back out and set the second fastest lap of the race, which means we are now P2 on the grid for Race Two. Let’s enjoy the race tomorrow and take our last chance to have a good race.”


                                               #NinjaSpirit