Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) mastered the mixed conditions at the Circuito Estoril to earn his 18th pole in the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship. He was less than a tenth clear of Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) in second as the battle for pole heated up during Tissot Superpole for the Estoril Round, with six-time Champion Jonathan Rea (Pata Prometeon Yamaha) completing the front row, securing a top-three position for the first time since his pole at Assen in similar conditions.
THE FIRST STINT: the majority head out straight away, Rea leads the way
The track was wet from morning rain and the entire field except for Andrea Iannone (Team GoEleven) and Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) went out immediately, with the duo opting to wait for a few minutes before heading on to the track. Jonathan Rea (Pata Prometeon Yamaha) led the way after the first laps were completed after posting a 1’52.299s, ahead of Axel Bassani (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) although ‘El Bocia’ was half-a-second down on Rea, before the #65 improved by a second despite two big moments on his third flying lap.
RAZGATLIOGLU SECURES POLE: 0.082s between ‘El Turco’ and Petrucci
Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) opted for a different strategy to Rea, putting in a banker lap before pitting and re-joining the session later on. That helped him to a provisional pole with a 1’52.640s but Rea did pit with around four and a half minutes remaining before re-joining the action. Although he improved his time, he was unable to take pole as Razgatlioglu set a 1’52.430s to take P1, finishing less than a tenth ahead of Petrucci. The #9 had been setting red sectors on his final lap but lost time in the final sector after a small wobble through the chicane, setting a 1’52.51s to finish just 0.082s behind ‘El Turco’. Rea will line up from the front row as the Brit claimed P3, his best Superpole result since Assen.
BULEGA ON THE SECOND ROW: aiming to move forward in races
Two Yamaha riders were in the top four as Rea’s teammate, Andrea Locatelli, was in fourth and four tenths away from the six-time Champion. Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) was fifth, 0.999s away from pole, as he looks to take the Championship fight to a season finale, while Michael van der Mark (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) claimed sixth place to put two BMWs in the first two rows of the grid.
ALL-BRITISH THIRD ROW: Mackenzie in a Lowes twins sandwich
Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) will head the third row which is full of British riders. The #14 set a 1’53.673s to secure P7 ahead of the surprise of Superpole, Tarran Mackenzie (PETRONAS MIE Racing Honda). The Brit was the lead Honda rider as he claimed P8 to show his wet-weather prowess, often putting in a red sector one to indicate the best of anybody. It’s the first time in WorldSBK the #95 has been in the top ten in Superpole. Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) will complete the third row despite a crash at Turn 8 on his first flying lap. The #22 tried to hold on to his ZX-10RR but was unable to do so, before riding his bike back to the pits. A quick repair job was completed before he returned to the track, taking P9.
FOURTH ROW FOR BAUTISTA: the #1 crashes at the end of Superpole
Bassani enjoyed a strong Superpole session, claiming tenth but often running closer to the front in the wetter conditions. It was a difficult session for Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) as the reigning Champion crashed when track conditions were at their best. He fell at Turn 6 which meant he was unable to improve his lap time, setting a 1’54.239s to start Race 1 from the fourth row. Xavi Vierge (Team HRC) also crashed during Superpole, at the same point as Bautista but a few minutes before. He’ll line up from 13th, one place ahead of teammate Iker Lecuona.
The top six from WorldSBK Superpole:
1. Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) 1’52.512s
2. Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) +0.082s
3. Jonathan Rea (Pata Prometeon Yamaha) +0.509s
4. Andrea Locatelli (Pata Prometeon Yamaha) +0.927s
5. Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) +0.999s
6. Michael van der Mark (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) +1.198s
