Once more in a race Sofuoglu found Jules Cluzel his closest challenger but after taking the lead on lap nine Sofuoglu felt in control, in a race he was particularly keen to win.
Turkish rider Sofuoglu reached an unprecedented total of 30 career WSS race wins today, achieved in 97 races.
Jacobsen was less than two seconds from his own podium finish, but had to settle for fourth. With Kenan on 105 points now, Jacobsen grew his second place total to 68 at Imola.
Front row qualifier Marco Faccani (San Carlo Puccetti Racing Kawasaki) did not quite have the race-long pace to compete for a podium but a fifth place finish at his home round is the best result of his rookie WSS season. He is now tenth in the championship.
Christian Gamarino (Team Go Eleven Kawasaki) earned an 11th place at his home round in Imola, while Aussie wild card rider Aiden Wagner (Kawasaki Intermoto Ponyexpres) scored two points for 14th. Lucas Mahias (Kawasaki Intermoto Ponyexpres) no scored.
Donington Park in the UK will host the sixth round of the series, on 24th May 10th.
Kenan Sofuoglu: “Today the race was not easy. I was not prepared in my conditioning and last week I did not sleep well. On the other side of the story I was strong because I know how difficult it was to come here. For that reason, inside me, I came here for a win. I think this race was very hard because Cluzel was strong, more than I expected, but I told myself if I was here I was here to win. I was not going to accept second, not today. There will be days when I have to but not today. I am happy to have taken 25 points and now I go straight back to Turkey.”
Marco Faccani: “I think this was a good performance for me, because fifth was my best result. I am not so happy because I was third on the grid and wanted to go for a podium. Jacobsen was not so far from me, so maybe I could have made it fourth place but Zanetti was faster to take third place.”