TEN KATE HONDA:

The Hannspree Ten Kate Honda team has announced a renewal of its ongoing agreement with Kenan Sofuoglu, who became today the most successful World Supersport championship rider in history.

The Turkish ace, who was World Supersport champion with the team in 2007, has agreed to ride the squad’s Honda CBR600RR in the 2010 championship. The Hannspree Ten Kate Honda team is already the most successful in the series, securing the title every season from 2002 to 2008.

Kenan Sofuoglu

I am so happy to confirm that I am riding next year again for the team. It’s the second year of a three-year agreement, which we signed before this weekend in Imola. It means that 2010 will be my fifth year with the team. The relationships I have here are very important to me – Ronald ten Kate helps me a lot in my personal life and my crew chief Gigi and mechanic Michel work really well together with me. We have all had some tough times this season but I know everyone has worked really hard to give me a winning package again, as we showed here at Imola today. I’m looking forward to working with everyone again next year, when I hope to give them back the championship.

Gerrit ten Kate – team owner

We have a great belief in Kenan and know that he is a very fast rider. That’s why we have made this agreement with him for the future. We have struggled a bit this year – getting the new CBR600RR late and then changing suspension halfway through the season. Maybe that wasn’t such a good idea but it means the package will be really strong again next year. We hope to win the title back again next year but, for now, we’ll concentrate on getting more wins and helping Honda to win another manufacturers’ championship in 2009.