Source: WorldSBK.

Ratthapark Wilairot (CORE Motorsport Thailand) has won the second round of the World Supersport Championship, coming home ahead of Kenan Sofuoglu (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) and PJ Jacobsen (Kawasaki Intermoto Ponyexpre).

It was a photo finish at the end of an enthralling 17-lap race that had the packed grandstands on their feet with each lap completed.

From the start it was Sofuoglu that took the holeshot, the Turkish rider keen to make up for his mistake in the opening round of the series, but by lap five a group of five that included championship leader Jules Cluzel (MV Agusta Reparto Corse), Kyle Smith (Pata Honda World Supersport Team), Jacobsen (Kawasaki Intermoto Ponyexpres) and local hero Wilairot.

Lorenzo Zanetti (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) crashed out of the top eight at turn five on the eighth lap, the Italian was unable to continue.

Kyle Smith slid out of contention a lap later, the British rider who was on the podium in Australia clearly annoyed with himself.

Jules Cluzel who had been leading for most of the race retired with 3 and a half laps to go leaving Wilairot to claim an emotional first race victory in his home country.

American Jacobsen tried in vain to close down the slender lead of his Thai rival, having to make do with third at the flag to secure his first podium of the year ahead after being passed on the final turn of the last lap by Sofuoglu who took second.

Frenchman Lucas Mahias (Kawasaki Intermoto Ponyexpres) scored his first points of the season, finishing a lonely fourth ahead of a jubilant Ratthapong Wilairot (A.P Honda Racing Thailand) who like his elder brother, had the grandstands on their feet as he fought off a fierce attach from Italian Roberto Rolfo (Lorini Honda) who was 6th.

Martin Cardenas (CIA Landlords Insurance) became the first Colombian in the history of the series to score points in the World Supersport Championship, ending the race in eighth.

AARK Racing’s Glenn Scott raced to a points-paying finish in 14th to match his Phillip Island finish, the Aussie completing his second World Supersport race for the Australian team.

Wilairot now heads to Europe with a six-point lead over Sofuoglu in the overall standings.

2015 World Superbike Championship
Round two – Chang International Circuit, Thailand

Supersport race results:
1. Ratthapark Wilairot
2. Kenan Sofuoglu +1.828s
3. PJ Jacobsen +1.860s
4. Lucas Mahias +8.964s
5. Ratthapong Wilairot +12.110s
6. Roberto Rolfo +13.599s
7. Marco Faccani +14.025s
8. Martin Cardenas +14.857s
9. Alex Baldolini +21.690s
10. Gino Rea +30.238s
14. Glenn Scott (AUS) +36.670s

Supersport championship standings:
1. Ratthapark Wilairot 36
2. Kenan Sofuoglu 30
3. Jules Cluzel 25
4. Gino Rea 24
5. PJ Jacobsen 22
6. Lorenzo Zanetti 20
7. Roberto Rolfo 18
8. Alex Baldolini 16
9. Kyle Smith 13
10. Marco Faccani 13
18. Glenn Scott (AUS) 4

Click here for detailed results