For 2 years, the driver's domination in World Superbike Alvaro Bautista on Ducati is such that we almost forgot the challengers.
Fortunately, Jonathan Rhea remembers us fondly: Dominant during free practice, he confirmed with pole position on the tortuous course of Donington Park ahead of the Spaniard who, once in a while, made a mistake while trying to follow the Northern Irish rhythm.
Toprak Razgatlioğlu, less in luck than usual during qualifying, is however expected around the corner: He was in fact the winner of the 3 races last year and hopes for no less this year!
Another excellent surprise, the qualification in third position of the friendly and eclectic Danilo Petrucci who learns quickly. He now has to perform in the Top 5 to emerge as a credible challenger for the championship.
The BMWs continue to be close to the middle of the grid, with the exception of Tom Sykes who, by brilliant replacement of Michael Van der Mark, is displayed in the 3rd line at the 8th position. This is all the more remarkable on his part as he was riding a Kawasaki from the Puccetti Racing team at the start of the season, where the repeated difficulties he encountered were not worthy of his talent. It didn't take long for the Englishman to find his feet aboard the German machine, which he knew in the past as an official driver. This also questions the abilities of his compatriot Scott Redding who definitely doesn't make it.
On the other hand, and on a strictly sporting level, Toprak Razgatlioğlu who will officiate in the Bavarian factory team next year will clearly have a lot to do. But its challenge is definitely exciting. Indeed, beyond the generous financial package from which he should benefit, he will reap glory if he succeeds in transforming this motorcycle into a victorious machine. The Turk made it perfectly clear in an interview with our colleagues at wsbk.com: he needs a renewal after his (successful!) challenge at Yamaha, and there is no point in winning with an Italian machine (follow my gaze) as it knocks out the competition. Toprak wants to highlight his talent to win the BMW whose natural predispositions remain inferior to the competition. Looking forward to 2024 and its future exploits!
Alas, for the first race which has just been held this Saturday, Jonathan Rea, Toprak Razgatlioğlu and Alex Lowes almost made us believe that a return to the business of the outsiders was possible. But after eight laps, the championship leader Alvaro Bautista managed to regain control and never let go. It was even monotonous as the performance gap was so glaring.
This is definitely worrying for the rest of the season as Donington Park was the only real opportunity for the Japanese machines to beat Ducati.
The Catalan also has the luxury of re-registering the Bologna brand on the circuit's shelves from which it had disappeared since 2011, the last victory being to the credit of Carlos Checa.
Let's hope that the two Sunday races will help reverse the trend.
