WSBK Donington, Rea and Razgatlioglu in unison: “it’s fucking impossible to follow Bautista”

This race 1 at Donington was expected to be revealing of many things in a WSBK championship slowly cooked up by Alvaro Bautista on his Ducati. Because the Borgo Panigale brand has never won in this English garden which is not the most appreciated by the reigning World Champion. The opportunity for a reprieve from the driver-machine pairing which has won all competitions so far except one this year? We believed in it during the first five rounds. And then the adversity crushing machine started...

Alvaro Bautista first let himself be done, observing and gauging, before settling into his rhythm. Like a feline playing with its prey, the Spanish fort on the excellent Italian quickly extinguished the hope of seeing “the race of the year” in WSBK. The World Champion attacked where he wanted, when he decided, to escape and leave crumbs for his colleagues at the finish, as he has since the beginning of the year. Who are called all the same Toprak Razgatlioglu et Jonathan Rea.

Two big names who are not the type to let themselves be fooled like this without saying anything. Words as the official arrives Kawasaki, and even six times titled, left no doubt about his feelings at the end of this Saturday on his land: “ It’s fucking impossible to follow him. When he passed Toprak, I thought he would hit back at the chicane next. But when I saw them again on the straight, it was miles away. How can such a thing be done? It's impossible. What's amazing is that he didn't wear out the rear tire ».

« Last year Bautista's bike wasn't that fast, now I'm almost shocked »

In Race 1 at Donington, the pilot Kawasaki conquered his 150th WorldSBK podium, a bitter satisfaction in any case given how the race went: “ with Toprak in front I felt comfortable, then Alvaro arrived and the pace accelerated. I tried to give more, brake at the limit and maybe I overdid it a little. There was plenty of grip, rear traction was good but the bike pushed in the corners and if I had pulled the front brake again, I would have fallen. We need a little more breathing room » claims Jonathan Rhea on crash.net.

On the side of Yamaha , the atmosphere was not more festive… “ The start of the race was positive and I enjoyed it. After that, I tried to catch up with Bautista, but it was impossible because he had incredible acceleration on all the short straights. For me it was impossible to overtake him, because the acceleration gap is too great. Last year his bike wasn't that fast, now I'm almost shocked. If he wins again tomorrow and at Imola, the championship will easily be his ».

The Pata Yamaha Prometeon Team rider can't be happy with how it went: “ I'm not happy, because last year I won three races here. I hope that tomorrow we can improve so that we can fight for victory. Alvaro is fast, but Ducati has improved the bike a lot. Japanese brands need to improve their bikes, which also applies to MotoGP » concludes the future official BMW driver in the category reserved for machines from the series.

WSBK Donington Race 1: classification