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

The Turkish star suffered the ankle injury during a motocross training accident𒊎 earlierღ this month.

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

"If I had damaged my ankle further I would have missed the first race for sure. It's much better for🔯 the championship and for my body to be fit for Phillip Isla🐲nd.

"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 kee❀p cycling to stay as fit as possible.

"It will be difficult in Australia after more than two months without riding the bike, but Micheℱle [Pirro] and the crew have been working hard here and we made a 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 test an impres💛sive t🦩hird fastest.

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

2009 WSS title runner-up Eugene Laverty (Parkalgar Honda) was fastest at the test, with Kawasaki's Joan L🧸ascorz second😼.