The MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship returned for one final throw of the dice at the Pirelli Portuguese Round in what set out to be a brilliant Race 2. Taking glory once again for his 13th consecutive win was Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team), who crossed the line with just one front wing remaining at the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve.
0.035s: Closest finish of the season
Razgatlioglu took a 15th win of the season, his best season so far in WorldSBK after defending from Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati), who battled with the Turkish rider to the chequered flag. It was another race to celebrate for the Italian, who looked strong although missing out on victory by 0.035s. Bulega took a 12th podium and finished ahead of Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK), capping off a great weekend for the British rider – earning his ninth podium of the season.
THE START: Early work to do for Razgatlioglu
Once the lights went out it was Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) who briefly hit the front before the Italian was overtaken by the Razgatlioglu on the entry to Turn 3. The #9 soon dropped down to fourth as Lowes and Michael van der Mark (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) found their way through. Lowes put early pressure on the #54, who ran wide at Turn 5, allowing the lead to change. It soon turned into a four-way fight with van der Mark charging to P1 in an unforgettable show for the Portuguese fans. Lowes soon responded as he led with Razgatlioglu now in chase.
The move from the #54 came on the main straight, using the slipstream to pass and touching the back of Lowes’ machine and losing his left front wing. The Turkish star maintained his lead as Lowes ran wide and dropped behind Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) to third. The gap was changing every sector with Bulega now being the rider on the move, entering the podium places. The key moment of Bautista’s race came with five laps remaining as the #1 and Razgatlioglu went head-to-head, with Bautista losing the front at Turn 5, leaving just Bulega to battle for the win.
BREATHTAKING: Razgatlioglu fends off Bulega
Heading onto the final lap it was an intense fight for victory, with Razgatlioglu defending every inch of the track. Bulega tried to stay as close as possible on the final lap, aiming to build towards a move. However, Razgatlioglu was able to hold onto victory, extending his all-time win streak after a miraculous ride with one front wing.
TOP INDEPENDENT: Iannone claims fourth
Holding onto fourth on Sunday was Andrea Iannone (Team GoEleven), taking his best finish of the weekend and taking the honours as the top independent rider in Race 2. The Italian was ahead of compatriot Petrucci, who was unable to find late-race pace, crossing the line to round out a competitive top five. Meanwhile, Jonathan Rea (Pata Prometeon Yamaha) took sixth, ending the weekend with a strong result after beating van der Mark late in the race. Garett Gerloff (Bonovo Action BMW) was eighth ahead of Xavi Vierge (Team HRC) who finished his best weekend of the season so far. While Dominique Aegerter (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) crossed the line behind Vierge, rounding out the top 10.
OUT OF THE POINTS: Bautista P19
Meanwhile, Bautista finished down in 19th, scoring zero points in Race 2, with the Spaniard currently sitting in third in the standings, now 142 points behind Razgatlioglu at the head of the Championship. Bautista is now beginning to be put under pressure from Lowes, with the #22 just 10 points back.
The top six from WorldSBK Race 2:
1. Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team)
2. Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) +0.035
3. Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) +6.299
4. Andrea Iannone (Team GoEleven) +9.715
5. Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) +11.318
6. Jonathan Rea (Pata Prometeon Yamaha) +11.428
Fastest lap: Alvaro Bautista (Ducati) – 1’40.753
Championship standings
1. Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) 365 points
2. Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) 273
3. Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) 223
4. Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) 213
5. Andrea Locatelli (Pata Prometeon Yamaha) 155
6. Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) 147
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