WSBK Superbike Misano Superpole Race: Axel Bassani Moshes Nicolo Bulega. Toprak Easy in the Sprint!

Axel Bassani overdid it at the first corner of the Superbike Superpole race at Misano and collided with Ducati rider Nicolo Bulega, paving the way for the second triumph of the weekend for Toprak Razgatlıoğlu.

De Paul Gozzi / Corsedimoto.com

An unnecessary risk by Axel Bassani could weigh heavily on the scoreboard for the direct duel in Superbike.
Nicholas Bulega had regained pole position after serving a three-place penalty in Race 1, but he did not have time to take advantage of it.
The Bimota rider got off to a flying start, but at the first corner, on the inside line, he lost the front and hit the unfortunate Ducati rider, who was on the outside, right next to him. The collision between the two bikes and the riders was inevitable, fortunately without any physical consequences for either of them.
But the Superpole Race was already over: Toprak Razgatlıoğlu seized the opportunity and pocketed twelve additional valuable points. The overall standings are tightening: Bulega still leads the championship, but his lead is now only 14 points.

A hard blow for Bulega
This is an abandonment with extremely serious consequences for Nicholas Bulega : in the last 20 races (since Estoril 2024), the Ducati rider had always finished first or second when he saw the finish. This withdrawal further accentuates the double retirement at Assen, which occurred in both Sunday races due to mechanical problems.
Axel Bassani, like almost all the drivers on the grid, had opted for the E0479 rear tyre, the new super soft qualifying tyre. He was therefore clearly banking on a lightning start to try to surprise Nicolò and Toprak, who, like Alex Lowes, had chosen the more cautious solution, the E0126 tyre, intended for the race.
But things went wrong: it is well known that you don't win a race on the first corner... on the other hand, you can easily lose it. Bulega had already made a mistake during the morning warm-up, falling alone. This Sunday has therefore started badly, and this double setback is certainly not ideal before the highly anticipated direct confrontation of race 2, scheduled for 14 p.m.

Toprak is getting closer, a Superbike championship more open than ever
With his 65th victory, Toprak Razgatlıoğlu narrows the gap even further, and this afternoon he has in his sights the record of eight triumphs at Misano, held by Jonathan Rea. Freed from all pressure by the fall of his rival, the Turkish prodigy enjoyed a pleasant ride on the Riviera, led from start to finish during ten laps of absolute control. Never really threatening, the other Bimota from Rimini driven by alex lowes could not worry him. The Rimini brand nevertheless returned to the podium 25 years after the triumph ofAnthony Gobert at Phillip Island.
It was at the time of the Bimota powered by a Suzuki twin-cylinder, in the team led by Virginio Ferrari with Franco Farne as technical director: an era of extraordinary legends, both on and off the track.

Locatelli back on the podium
The Yamaha seemed to be in trouble, but Andrea Locatelli is remedying this brilliantly: fifth in the opening race on Saturday, he took third place in this sprint, just a few minutes after the announcement of his participation in the 8 Hours of Suzuka as part of the official Yamaha trio.
The Bergamo driver is increasingly establishing himself as a key player in Iwata's brand strategy. He beat an excellent Danilo Petrucci, who this time led the charge of the Yamaha by taking the upper hand over the official Alvaro Bautista.

New mishap for Andrea Iannone
The former MotoGP rider certainly doesn't miss a beat. This time again, Andrea Iannone left too early, like in Portimão, and had to serve two long lap penalties: goodbye to hopes of a good result.
He had already crashed on Saturday in the second lap. For now, this home weekend could hardly have gone any worse. Fortunately, there's one last chance: in Race 2 this afternoon, several riders are hoping to reverse the trend.

Misano Superbike Superpole Race Standings:

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Paul Gozzi

Classification credit: WorldSBK.com

Superbike Misano Superpole Race