The forthcoming Autodromo Nacional do Algarve round of the championship will be the 11th and penultimate event in what has been an exciting and incident-filled season. Track action takes place between 29 September and 1 October, with Öncü continuing on his upward comeback trajectory after injuring his left arm in a crash during the Assen round in April.
Can, in partnership with his potent Ninja ZX-6R and Kawasaki Puccetti Racing team, raised his status to WorldSSP race winner during the Mandalika race weekend in March of this year, just before he travelled to Assen for the start of the European season.
Having proved that he can reach that ultimate level of race winning performance in this tough class of racing makes Can particularly keen to improve his fitness, round-by-round. Can made his racing reappearance at the French round earlier this month, before moving on to Spain last week.
There will be two 17-lap WorldSSP races at the astoundingly undulating and always challenging 4.592km Portimao circuit, the first on Saturday 30 September and the second on Sunday 1 October.
Can is 14th in the championship standings, with two rounds to go. Jerez de La Frontera in Spain will complete the season at the end of October.
Can Öncü, stated: “I really like the Portimao circuit and I hope to be able to continue my physical recovery in the best possible way. On a fast track like this my goal is to reach the points zone, but above all to feel more and more comfortable on the motorcycle. I am confident and optimistic because I know I can count on a great team.”
Two no-scores for Adrian Huertas (MTM Kawasaki) at the most recent Motorland Aragon round have made him all the more determined to achieve his goal of a first podium in WorldSSP. He gets his next chance at Portimao, having been one place away from the podium on three occasions this season - at Donington Park, Imola and Magny Cours.
Leonardo Taccini (Vince64 by Puccetti Racing Kawasaki) will compete once again for his Italian team after his first experience with them at Motorland Aragon.
Tom Booth-Amos (Motozoo ME AIR Racing Kawasaki) has a comfortable lead in the WorldSSP Challenge (for riders who only compete at the European rounds) and rider may well wrap-up the championship-within-a-championship this weekend.
Luke Power (Motozoo ME AIR Racing Kawasaki) and Yuta Okaya (Prodina Kawasaki Racing) will be on the hunt for strong qualifying performances in Portugal, to enable them to fight inside the points scoring positions.
#NinjaSpirit