The two Kawasaki riders duelled it out for the right to be the fastest rider pre-race, with Sofuoglu taking his third pole of 2016 in the final lap. This was Kenan’s 26th pole position, extending his leading position in the record books.
Krummenacher is new to the Supersport World Championship in 2016 but has ridden at Sepang many times in his Grand Prix career. He approached the recently resurfaced circuit in positive fashion and was only 0.1 seconds from his team-mate, and 0.255 seconds ahead of the next nearest challenger.
Both official Kawasaki riders were under the previous circuit best in qualifying. Now their attention turns to converting their pre-race pace into race results on Sunday, on the new and quite abrasive track surface at Sepang.
The race takes place at 14.20 local time in Malaysia, on Sunday 15th May.
Kenan Sofuoglu: “Superpole was quite good and we had to work very hard, especially as the track was getting faster and faster, and everybody going faster and faster because if it. So we did not know where we would finish at the end. So I am very happy to have taken Superpole. In the last lap I did a very fast lap time and I am sure more was possible but I had no time to change my front tyre for a new one. If I had changed it and got a couple of tenths it would have helped me for sure but anyway we won Superpole and probably I am ready for the race. I feel confident but I am sure it is not going to be easy because it is very hot and there is a big question mark over tyres for everybody. I am not worried because anybody can have a tyre problem, and the reason is that we have not had the chance to make a long run. On Friday there was rain and on Saturday everybody only went for lap times. Anyway, I think we are in a good position at the moment,”
Randy Krummenacher: “It was a really positive day but this morning was a little bit better when I was fastest! But in general I can be very happy with our qualifying because I have a very consistent pace, which is good for the race. The race gives points so I am very confident for tomorrow. It feels easy for me to do consistent laps and that gives me so much confidence. I come from Moto2 and the Supersport bike definitely suits me better. I can control the tyre very well and I think that is going to be my advantage tomorrow. I love to play with the bike and I can really play with it here, so that is such a good feeling for me.”
Zulfahmi Khairuddin (Orelac Racing VerdNatura Kawasaki) was a popular fifth in Superpole 2 at his home round, as he looks forward to raceday maybe even more than any other rider. Ondrej Jezek (Team GoEleven Kawasaki) was ninth on the grid, the last rider on row three.
Jezek’s team-mate Christian Gamarino sits 13th after Superpole 2. Nacho Calero (Orelac Racing VerdNatura Kawasaki) qualified 19th and Lachlan Epis (Response RE Racing Kawasaki) 22nd.