WSBK, Argentina: Johnny Rea clearly victorious in the SBK Superpole Race

After a race 1 in which six drivers refused to participate due to the dangerous grip, the situation was significantly better this Sunday thanks to a lower temperature. Álvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) started from pole position with Michael van der Mark (Pata Yamaha WorldSBK Team) and Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) alongside him.

Toprak Razgatlioglu (Turkish Puccetti Racing) made up the second row alongside Alex Lowes (Pata Yamaha WorldSBK Team) and Michael Ruben Rinaldi (Barni Racing Team). Loris Baz (Ten Kate Racing – Yamaha), who had withdrawn the day before with a sore hand, was fortunately able to race this Sunday, although of course not 100%.

15 minutes from the scheduled start time, several drivers headed towards Race Direction. Others in the pits put on their gloves and helmets, then took to the track for the reconnaissance lap. Everyone finally joined the grid for this 10-lap event determining the grid for race 2.

The fastest to set off on the Circuito San Juan Villicum was Álvaro Bautista, but Johnny Rea quickly took first place from him. Loris Baz unfortunately fell on the first lap, fortunately not seriously.

Rea opened up a gap of 0.9 over Bautista, 2.1 over Razgatlioglu and 4.3 over Davies, Lowes, van der Mark and Cortese.

Rea preceded Bautista by 1.5 at 7 laps to the checkered flag, and Razgatlioglu by 2.4. There was a very good fight for third position between Davies, Haslam following them along with Tom Sykes.

Rea increased his advantage to 1.7 over Bautista and 2.9 over Razgatlioglu at halfway. Davies fourth managed to distance the Yamahas of Lowes, van der Mark and Cortese. Haslam, Sykes and Camier were attacked by the local Tati Mercado, to the great joy of Argentinian fans!

In the final laps, Rea secured his victory ahead of Bautista and Razgatlioglu. Davies then held off Lowes, van der Mark and Cortese well. Tati Mercado overtook Leon Camier, thus entering the top 10.

Rea was hailed as winner by the checkered flag, ahead of Bautista and Razgatlioglu. Davies then preceded Lowes, van der Mark, Cortese Haslam, Sykes and Mercado.

Superpole Race Results:

Provisional ranking of the World Championship:

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The video presentation of the first event last year by the organizer of the Championship:

Photos © worldsbk.com, manufacturers, teams and partners