WSBK Superbike Mandalika Race 2: Double for Rea ahead of Redding and Van der Mark!

The Kawasaki rider, who lost earlier in the day to Toprak Razgatlıoğlu in the quest for the Superbike title, scored his second victory of the weekend on a wet track.

Again in Mandalika! Or almost. Like yesterday, the weather conditions played tricks on the Superbike, which this time had to wait an hour and a half for Race 2 to begin, with a distance reduced from 20 to just 12 laps.

It was therefore on a completely wet tarmac that the drivers set off for one last dance (rain?) this season, a few hours after the title was awarded to Toprak Razgatlioglu during Race 1.

Despite this first outcome, this second race of the weekend in the category still held several stakes, and in particular the granting of the title among the manufacturers (Yamaha having a 20 point lead over Ducati before the race) and among the independent riders (opposing Garrett Gerloff to Axel Bassani).

Gerloff best independent driver

In the latter case, the game was quickly folded in favor of the American, after his transalpine opponent, very dashing in Indonesia, was the victim of a collision with Michael van der Mark in the last corner, and was not forced to abandon.

At the front, Razgatlıoğlu first took the holeshot before the same scenario as that of Race 1 took shape again, with a fight initially involving Scott Redding, Jonathan Rea and Razgatlıoğlu.

The podium for Van der Mark

Van der Mark, who had already won this season during the Superpole Race in Portimão contested in similar conditions, also joined the festivities in the leading group, even having the luxury of fighting against the Champion of the recently inducted world.

Razgatlıoğlu and Van der Mark exchanged positions on several occasions, with the final challenge being a place on the last step of the podium. And in this little game, it was the Dutchman who had the last word, thus ending his season on a good note.

His opponent from Yamaha will at least have the satisfaction of having secured a result which allows the brand with three tuning forks to win the manufacturers' title, eight points ahead of Ducati.

Up front, the victory was decided between Redding and Rea, the two men offering a very good duel, even if sometimes very rough, until the checkered flag and won by the resident of Kawasaki, who therefore ends the 2021 season on a double.

Redding and Van der Mark on the podium, Razgatlıoğlu therefore finished in fourth position, ahead of Tom Sykes and Gerloff. We then find Kohta Nozane in seventh position, ahead of Rookie of the Year, Andrea Locatelli.

New convincing result for Ponsson

Isaac Viñales and Álvaro Bautista complete the top 10, ahead of Frenchman Christophe Ponsson, author of a very solid weekend in South-East Asia. The tricolor thus finished ahead of Chaz Davies, who is bowing out after an impressive career in Superbike.

Finally, the water on the track did not fail to trap several drivers, first and foremost Leandro Mercado, who nevertheless had the speed to mix with the leading group, as well as Michael Ruben Rinaldi.

Mandalika Superbike – Race 2:

Classification credit: WorldSBK.com