This is the worst-case scenario that Toprak Razgatlioglu experienced during this first race of the fourth meeting of the WSBK season at Misano. Not only did he see that he was not sufficiently armed to play for victory against Jonathan Rea’s Kawasaki and Alvaro Bautista’s Ducati, but his Yamaha also died in the middle of the fight. This white result cost him dearly and made him lose contact with the two aforementioned in the title race. Has he already destroyed his chances of keeping his crown? Jonathan Rea responds…
The Ducati factory rider, Alvaro Bautista, was able to extend his lead in the championship this Saturday during the first of the three rounds expected this weekend at Misano, the fourth round of the season. With this victory, the Spaniard regained five points on Jonathan Rea. But the two took to their heels in front of a Toprak Razgatlioglu which experienced the throes of abandonment for technical reasons. The Yamaha official is now 77 points behind in the general classification. Redhibitory, even!
” Good luck to those who have already written it off. He’s a fighter. There’s still a long way to go“Warns Kawasaki rider and six-time WSBK titleholder Jonathan Rea. ” Alvaro was already 61 points ahead in 2019 and I finally beat him by more than 160 points. There are still so many races to go and everything is possible in racing. »
” It is important to win on the tracks where it is possible. You have to make the most of the other tracks. I want to achieve this this year. I want to minimize my mistakes“, says the Northern Irishman, explaining his strategy for the rest of the season. During this first race of the Superbike World Championship at Misano, Rea had to settle for second place after leading the race for a long time. But Bautista was significantly faster with its Ducati at the end and dug a comfortable gap.
Toprak withdraw! Mechanical fault for the reigning champion and he’s out of the race 🛠 😫#ITAWorldSBK 🇮🇹 pic.twitter.com/oopwZPov5v
— WorldSBK (@WorldSBK) June 11, 2022
” Toprak Razgatlioglu is a fighter and there is still a long way to gor”
” I’m happy with the 20 points. On the other hand, I’m frustrated that we weren’t closer“, he commented on the race. The pilot Kawasaki feels like he got the most out of his package. for victories, Kawasaki must also help…” We have to improve. I wish I had more power. Then I could take turns a little more calmly and I wouldn’t have to take so many risks” , Explain Rea. ” We get the most out of the bike. I am very satisfied with the work of the guys in the pits. »
On his side, Alvaro Bautista has, on the contrary, taken a step closer to the world title. But he remains cautious: I don’t think about the championship. With this format, with three races each weekend, you can’t think of the championship. It’s too early for that“, he specifies. ” The championship is still long and there are still a lot of points. I want to stay focused in all training sessions and races and get the most out of it. I’m not worried about the points” , Explain Bautistawhich thus explains his decisive thrust on Jonathan Rea : “ I knew it might not be the best place for an overtake because you’re so fast there. It’s a corner that you approach at more than 280 km/h in fifth gear. But there weren’t many places where I was able to pass Jonathan. “, he comments.
At the finish, Bautista was celebrated by the Ducati managers present and the many fans. ” It’s always nice to win. Winning Ducati’s home race here at Misano is really special. I appreciate it very much after suffering for two years. There were a lot of fans here. It was great to win with them to celebrate“said the championship leader.
WSBK Misano: Classification of Race 1
Ranking & photos credit: WorldSBK