Source: Supplied.

Reigning World Supersport Champion (WorldSSP) Kenan Sofuoglu will be replaced by local Thitipong Warokorn during this weekend’s second round of the 2017 season at the Chang International Circuit in Thailand.

Warokorn will team up with Kawasaki Puccetti Racing team regular Kyle Ryde for the Buriram round, while Sofouglu hopes to make it back in time for MotorLand Aragon’s third round next month.

“This WorldSSP Buriram round will be my first race under the umbrella of Kawasaki, as I will compete in the Thailand Superbike Championship with the Ninja ZX-10R in 2017,” Warokorn said. “It is so lucky for me to get this big opportunity in the official WorldSSP team on the Ninja ZX-6R at Buriram. This is my home circuit and I know it well.”

The chance to join the official Kawasaki entry in the WorldSSP class is an ideal opportunity for Thailand Superbike Championship contender Thitipong to shine in front of his home crowd as a Kawasaki rider for the first time.

The 28-year-old rider from Chonburi has ridden once before in the WorldSSP championship, at his home circuit in 2015. He is perhaps best known outside of his native country as a Moto2 rider, having competed in 42 races across three seasons.

Thitipong is also a well known as a competitor in the Asian Supersport Championship, which he competed in last season, before opting to re-route his career with Kawasaki in his return to the Thailand Superbike Championship of 2017.