This weekend the World Superbike championship landed at the legendary Imola. Temperatures were in the record highs and due to the heat Race 2 had to be reduced by 4 laps amidst safety concerns. After winning the Superpole race Toprak Razgatlioglu seized a rare opportunity. Alvaro Bautista crashed out of race 2 on the first lap opening the door for Razgatlioglu to be able to score more points in a race weekend than Bautista for the first time this season.
Razgatlioglu had the following words for WorldSBK.com, “The biggest problem in the Superpole Race was that my dashboard wasn’t working, the buttons weren’t working and it looked like the electronics weren’t working, so I was full lean angle, zero electronics! Then, I picked up the bike a little bit and I felt a bit but then at some corners, I was sliding a bit strangely. I adapted, like on the lean angle, I was opening the gas very slowly! Finally, I did a very good job and step-by-step I got to Alvaro. I passed him at Turn 9 because I watched him every lap there and he was a bit slower. I said, ‘OK, now I need to pass’ because for me, it’s better that I ride alone at the front. I think my plan worked well but I was riding more than 100%!”
Razgatlioglu Continued
I’m very happy that this year, finally, I’ve won! I waited for this moment, so thanks to my team who did an incredible job this weekend. Every session, we improved the bike but I am also sorry for Alvaro but this is racing, and you try and do your best. It’s the first time he’s crashed. After, I made a plan and didn’t want to risk. I followed Axel and in the last three laps I passed him and took a good pace. In general, I’m very happy this weekend! It’s the first time that Yamaha have won at Imola this weekend and I love this track too. It was very hot this weekend and congratulations to everyone because of this. I think it’s been a very good weekend as everybody’s watched real racing! The Championship is not over; I am riding like before, I’m focussing just on winning.”
The race was a bit rough for many riders. There were 6 separate retirements in the race. Despite Bautista crashing out the race he still holds a 70 point lead over Razgatlioglu in what seems an all but decided championship race. Razgatliolgu showed that there is still some fight in him so we will see how the rest of the season plays out.
Full Race 2 Results are Below
Championship Standings After Imola