WSBK Superbike Indonesia Race 1: Bautista irresistible, Razgatlioglu helpless and Rea in distress

It is with a starting grid marked by two Yamahas in the first two places that the first World Superbike race in Indonesia will begin. Razgatlioglu is in the lead ahead of his teammate Locatelli and championship leader Bautista. The Turk had the satisfaction of seeing his compatriot Can Öncü win his first victory in Supersport a few minutes ago. He will be keen to make this Saturday a great Turkish story. By the way, the ugly black clouds seen in WSS are no longer relevant, so that the tenors will be able to explain themselves in slick without being disturbed... 

Debates that Remy Gardnerr is going to miss it, struck down by gastro, thus ruining his good work on Friday which gave him a glimpse of a good continuation of the meeting. On the forfeit side for the same causes, we note the absence of Granado.

Rea, Rinaldi et bassani are on the second line. The Kawasaki official therefore remains in the leading group despite a new ZX-10R still under developmentr. Baz, Redding et Petrucci are in a third row which can be identified as reserved for the giants of the category. It also promises with two BMW who want to shine after the disappointment of Phillip Island, while we no longer present Petrux. Finally, after his big anger on Friday, Lecuona is eleventh on the Honda.

We recall the complete starting grid:

The first feeling is the sanction of Jonathan Rhea who got in the way during the Super poles bassani et Öttl. A situation which forces him to give up three places on the starting grid.

The conditions will be favorable for the 21 laps of racing with 31° in the air and 50° on the track. The unleashed pack is Razgatlioglu who takes the direction at the first turn, in front  Baptist et bassani. Rinaldi fall while hanging on the wheel bassani. An incident that puts Petrucci already fourth while Locatelli is only fifth. Virgin is seventh behind Alex Lowes. Rea is only eighth after his penalty. Baz is eleventh, Redding ninth.

After three rounds, Razgatlioglu always leads in front of a Bautistwho seems to be waiting for his hour. bassani follows and Locatelli traced back. He is fourth and therefore passed Petrucci which remains in the top 5. Sale is sixth. Virgin is eighth and therefore posts his Honda in front of BMW.

After 5 rounds, Baptist goes to the front. Razgatlioglu is even then overtaken by bassani. For its part, Locatelli rises like a bullet. The Turk returns bassani, a pass of arms which allows Baptist to already take more than seven tenths in advance after 7 laps. Sale is fifth, almost two seconds behind. Petrucci slipped to seventh place.

At the halfway point, Razgatlioglu does what he can to keep in touch on a Baptist serene in mind. The Turk is at 1s and got rid of bassani who defends his place on the podium against Locatelli.

The latter ends up cheating on his politeness. The rest of the peloton is led by alex lowes who advances his teammate Petrucci et Virgin always better Honda. van der mark is the leader at BMW in ninth place ahead Baz which closes the top 10 at agitated.

Redding gives up and goes into a rage in his box. He hits his fist BMW and continues to show his frustration by returning to his box.

Meanwhile, Petrucci becomes the nightmare of the Kawasaki…

There are six rounds left but mass seems to be said in Mandalika. Baptist is a strong leader in front Razgatlioglu which is 3s late. His teammate Locatelli follows him by more than a second. bassani is fourth and sees Petrucci get back on him. Lowes is sixth ahead Virgin, which puts Sale eighth. A disaster for the six-time title holder with a view to the championship. van der mark et agitated close the top 10 Baz.

A duel begins between van der mark et Sale who shows himself to be very virile in the defense of his modest position.

But the Kawasaki rider will have to lower his flag. And it's now agitated who blames him... Under the checkered flag, Baptist triumph with more than 5 seconds ahead of Razgatlioglu who could do nothing against the Ducati which won its first victory in Indonesia. Locatelli completes a podium where there will still be two Yamahas. bassani is fourth and Petrucci happy fifth. van der mark brought his BMW to sixth place, ahead of the Honda of Virgo, Aegerter et Sale, only ninth and frustrated. This race in Indonesia will leave its mark on Kawasaki. Baz is eleventh behind Lowes.

WSBK Superbike Indonesia Race 1: classification

Credit classification wsbk.com