Kenan Sofuoglu had one hand on the World Supersport championship trophy after an incredible finish to the Imola Grand Prix in Italy on Sunday.
The Turkish former world champion and Eugene Laverty were involved in a thrilling head-to-head battle right up to the final corner of the race, at which point the pair came together and both skidded off to allow Michele Pirro to come from way back in fourth to grab the win as Chaz Davies retired.
Laverty needed to beat Sofuoglu to set up a title winning chance in the season's final race in Magny-Cours and lying second coming into the last turn, the Northern Irishman tried a last gasp overtake and when Laverty lost the front end the bikes collided and both slid off the course.
From then it was the bizarre sight of the pair running to their bikes to restart them and ride the 10 yards to the finish line and although Laverty was up first, Sofuoglu's bike re-started faster and it was the Turk who took second place with Laverty in third.
Laverty got off to the quicker start in the race, overtaking his championship rival on the opening lap, while further back, the Northern Irishman's team mate Miguel Praia was one of a handful of riders who crashed out at the first turn.
Laverty's lead didn't last long, with Sofuoglu re-taking the lead early on before the pair swapped positions several times within the opening three laps.
Sofuoglu was the first to make a lead stick and so began a thrilling duel with the lead changing hands on countless occasions before the final lap drama.
Sofuoglu now has a 16 point advantage over Laverty heading into the final race of the season, which makes him a strong favourite to regain the title he won in 2007.
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