KAWASAKI PUCCETTI RACING ON THE WSSP GRID WITH WP SUSPENSION IN 2019 Suspension elements specialist WP on the grid with Kawasaki Puccetti Racing for WSSP 2019 // WORLD SUPERBIKE CHAMPIONSHIP The World Superbike Championships hit the gas for the first time this season on Sunday at Australia‘s Phillip Island, and for the first time, the World Supersport 600 was on the program at one of the fly-away venues. // WP SUSPENSION AND PUCCETTI RACING In another first, suspension elements specialist WP was also on the grid with Kawasaki Puccetti Racing. WP is providing material support for the team, which is fielding vice-champion, French rider Lucas Mahias, who finished second in the 2018 season behind Sandro Cortese, to narrowly miss defending his 2017 crown. He and teammate, Hikari Okubo of Japan, ride the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R.  The cooperation with the very professional Puccetti Racing structure in the international SSP 600 competition continues WP Suspension’s success in factory racing in all classes of the MotoGP Championships, and extensive involvement across all offroad competition, including the Dakar Rally. It is a perfect, next step for WP which will now extend its efforts and development with its high-quality, race-approved, after-market products to include series-based racing machines. The move also signals a deeper commitment to the world of racing and its associated business activities. Puccetti fields two top riders in SP600 and the experienced technical team provides the right environment for WP to continue working towards its goal of having a fully competitive presence in all relevant national and international racing formats. The two riders delivered solid results in the three combined free practice sessions – Mahias 6th and Okubo 7th and went on to finish 8-9 in the Superpole. Mahias and Okubo held onto positions in the top 7-8 in the opening half of the race and were among the leaders in the second half. Mahias eventually crossed the line in fifth place, but then was penalized following a miscommunication with his team when he returned to the track too soon after the tire change, a mistake that cost his 19,5 seconds. WP Suspension will be accompanying Kawasaki Puccetti Racing riders through the 2019 season with factory support for their suspension elements. The cooperation will provide WP with invaluable feedback for the further development of suspension elements for road racing and street bike applications. WSSP riders will race next at the state-of-the-art Chang International Circuit in Buriram, Thailand, March 15-17. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONCERNING THIS PRESS RELEASE PLEASE CONTACT: Thomas Kuttruf Public Relations presse@wp-suspension.com