The second race of the day for The MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship got underway on Sunday afternoon as the riders faced a 21-lap race at the 4-kilometre Estoril Circuit. Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) had a flying start to the race as he took the hole shot into the first corner ahead of Andrea Locatelli (Pata Prometeon Yamaha) and Superpole Race winner Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati). Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) had a poor start at lights out, falling to fifth position behind Yamaha rider Jonathan Rea (Pata Prometeon Yamaha).
MACKENZIE, LOWES OUT: Riders crash in early stages
Misfortune for British riders Tarran Mackenzie (PETRONAS MIE Racing Honda) and Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) struck during the opening stages of the Portuguese race, with both riders falling out of contention within the first 4 laps. But all eyes were on Championship leader, Razgatlioglu who recovered back into a podium position on lap 4, and once again proved his dominance as he displayed impressive overtakes to move into second and then first position ahead of Bautista on lap 7.
DUCATI DUO: Bautista and Bulega chase #54
Stablemates Bulega and Bautista exchanged positions as the #54 Turkish rider increased his lead at two thirds race distance, but it was Bulega who eventually took the reins into second and led the pair as they hunted down the lading BMW rider. Further back in the field, Garrett Gerloff (Bonovo Action BMW Despite) was forced to retire from his race after facing mechanical issues and despite impressive form in their Estoril weekends, Race 2 ended in disappointment for riders Iker Lecuona (Team HRC) who crashed out of contention from fourth place, and #55 Locatelli, who also ended his race in the gravel.
PETRUCCI WINS INDEPENDENT RIDERS’ TITLE: #9 claims 2024 honours
Out in front, an unstoppable Razgatlioglu wheelied across the finish line with an outstanding five second lead, as Bulega led #1 Bautista to complete the Portugal rostrum. Jonathan Rea missed out on a podium spot in third, whilst an exciting race battle between Michael van der Mark (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) and Xavi Vierge (Team HRC) resulted in the riders taking fifth and sixth positions. The Barni Spark Racing Team had reason to celebrate today as Danilo Petrucci won the Independent Riders’ title, crossing the line in seventh ahead of fellow Italian Andrea Iannone (Team GoEleven) who completed the top 8. The Championship winner will now be crowned in next week’s final round as the paddock heads to Jerez, but will it be Razgatlioglu or Bulega who rides to glory in Spain?
The top six from WorldSBK Race 2:
1. Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team)
2. Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) +3.866s
3. Álvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) +3.998s
4. Jonathan Rea (Pata Prometeon Yamaha) +12.005s
5. Michael van der Mark (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) +15.209s
6. Xavi Vierge (Team HRC) +15.792s
Fastest lap: Toprak Razgatlioglu, BMW – 1’36.802s
Championship standings:
1. Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) 473 points
2. Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) 427
3. Álvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) 356
4. Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) 291
5. Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) 285
6. Michael van der Mark (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) 215
SBK Race Two ChampionshipStandings
