Öncü was in the leading group from the off, having started from fourth place on the grid due to his fourth best lap time in the opening race on Saturday.

After some overnight changes to his machine set-up provided an improved overall race package Can was able to both attack and defend in the second race of an intense Portimao weekend, even though he dropped back from his original starting place towards the end.

Temperatures at the 4.592km long circuit in the hills above the many holiday resorts of the Algarve were once again hot, especially as the result of the special weekend schedule, which saw the final WorldSSP race started at 16.30.

Öncü battled hard for every track position and crossed the line in eighth position. He was later classified as the official seventh place finisher because the rider ahead of him was penalised with a drop of one position for irresponsible riding when passing another rider.

Can left Portimao energised and excited by his best race finish of the season and he is currently 13th in the championship overall, with 52 points and five rounds still to run.  

The next round of WorldSSP will take place the Magny Cours circuit in France, between 6-8 September.

Can Öncü, stated: “Today we did a better job than yesterday. We improved the bike’s set-up a lot and I was in much better physical condition. I am very happy. We have to keep working and moving forward like this. We must also keep ourselves motivated to do even better in the coming races. Now we have almost one month off from racing but we will work very hard to prepare for the next round. Step-by-step we are moving to the front again and I am very happy about this. I feel very positive to move to the next race in Magny Cours.”

Swiss rider Marcel Brenner (Viamo Racing by MTM Kawasaki) was unable to race on Sunday due to illness.

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