Former World Supersport champion Kenan Sofuoglu was something of a frustrated spectator during 𝓡the Portimao test, after his fractured ankle prevented him from taking to the track.

The Turkish star suffered the ank🦩le injury during a motocross training accident earlier this month.

"I tried sitting on the bike on Thursday evening and on Friday morning with some careful strapping and a special boot," said Sofuoglu. "I knew it would be difficult, but we had to try and unfortunately it was not possible for me 🦩to ride here at Portimao.

"If I had damaged my ankle further𒁏 I would have missed the first race for sure. It's much better for the champion❀ship and for my body to be fit for Phillip Island.

"It certainly 🃏hasn't been easy to watch everybody else here but this time it has been better for me than riding. I will go home now and keep my leg in plaster for another 10 days and keep cycling to stay as fit as possible.

"It will be difficult in Australia after more than two months without riding the bike, but Michele [Pirro] and th💧e crew have been working hard here and we made aꩲ good test in Valencia in December."

Pirro, Ten Kate Honda's new World Supersport signing, caught the attention of team-mate Sofuoglu by finishing the t🍃est an impressive third fastest.

"Michele has been doing a great jo💟b and certainly put his name in the picture for the season ahead," acknowledged Sofuoglu. "But I'm very confident in myself and the CBR600RR and cannot wait for the first race𝓀."

2009 WSSไ title runner-up Eugene Laverty (Parkalgar Honda) was fastest at the test, with Kawasaki's Joan Lascorz second.