Si Alvaro Bautista was uncompromising in winning the three races of the Superbike world championship at Portimao, these were literally a thing of beauty, mainly thanks to the fierce opposition of a flamboyant Toprak Razgatlioglu, and to a lesser extent to Jonathan Rhea, still very fast on a timed lap of the hilly Algarve International Autodrome.
At the end of Sunday, they said:
Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati), 1-1-1 : “A truly exciting weekend. I certainly didn't expect to achieve a hat-trick, and what makes me particularly proud is that I won by fighting in every corner with Toprak who I congratulate because he was a really difficult opponent but still correct. I have to admit that I had a lot of fun: he never let me pace myself, attacking me at every turn. I stayed focused, trying not to make any mistakes. The championship ? I'll tell you the truth: it's right that the title goes to Jerez and I hope many fans will come for this round."
Toprak Razgatlıoğlu (Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK), 2-2-2 : “At the end of the race, I’m not happy. We give everything, in every corner, but once again we lose the victory because especially in the exit of the last corner, Alvaro and his bike are very strong. I'm angry because in every corner we are pushing more than 100% and only in the last corner the Ducati overtakes me. It's not easy for me to accept this, because I feel like it's unbelievable, like it's not real. I see the checkered flag and he overtakes me, if he had overtaken me entering the corner it would be easier to accept. My team did a very good job, I know that, but in general I'm not happy because we're not winning. This race I focused on winning, especially the last four or five laps, it was not easy to ride, I felt the front brakes lock up and the rear tire collapse. I've tried over 100% and I'm still struggling. I tell myself that I'm not closing the gas, I'm pushing a lot to win, and finishing second like that is not easy to accept. Thanks to Yamaha and my team and everyone watching for their support, I always fight and I never give up. I will try to fight for victory again in Jerez. »
Jonathan Rhea (Kawasaki Racing Team), 3-Ab.-10 : “A day to forget. Two big mistakes, the first in the Superpole race. I was engaged in overtaking Andrea and I was getting closer. To avoid putting him in danger, I accelerated a little on the inside to overtake him, but I hit the curb and that's how my race ended. This had a huge impact on the second race as I was starting from P10. I arrived at T3 alongside Bassani. I was a little tight and lost my position a little too quickly. I was on the front and rear brakes, trying to slow down, but I hit Xavi Virgo. I saw him right after the race and I tried to apologize because I'm really sorry. I also apologize to Scott Redding, who was involved in the confusion. I did my Long Lap and tried to concentrate on my time. I had lost my rear brake lever. Without my rear brake in hand I struggled to enter the corners in the same way as usual, so the pace was a little slower and only enough to get back to P10. A day to forget, truly. »
Andrea Locatelli (Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK), 9-3-5 : “It was an incredible Superpole race to finish in P3 and start in the same position for Race 2. Unfortunately it was a strange weekend starting from last place on the grid yesterday and I lost the race. opportunity to work well as we always do in a normal Race 1, to understand the bike and prepare myself for Sunday. So this afternoon it was a little more difficult for me and we were a little behind on certain points, especially after 15 laps. But in the end it was a positive weekend, no mistakes, we scored good points and we were fast in the Superpole. We need to improve our feeling a bit, especially at the front, but I think we can say it was another very good weekend. I always try to be stronger, finish the season well and prepare for the next one, because it is important for me and for Yamaha. »
Michael Rinaldi (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati), Ab.-6-3 : “Unfortunately, the yellow flag that took me off the front row during qualifying on Saturday affected the whole weekend. In race 1, we also had a technical problem which forced me to retire. This morning, I tried to manage the Superpole Race well in order to start a few places ahead in Race-2 and I succeeded. I stayed focused the whole time, without giving up and I think this podium is the right reward for the bad luck we had on Saturday.”
alex lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team), 5-Ab.-Forfeit : “A disappointing day, obviously. My start wasn't that bad in the Superpole race, and it's always good to start near the front. It was a little better than Jonathan's, but then he moved up to T1. I was trying not to be too aggressive, but early in these Superpole races, if you don't attack, you get attacked. So I was right behind Jonny; I peeked into T3, and when we entered T4, I was fine, but stayed to the right of it. I could see he wanted to pass Locatelli. I cut at the apex rather than staying outside and possibly getting caught in a problem, so I cut inside. But I couldn't see, I was blinded and hit the inside of the corner. It's a shame because I think I would have had a good chance. Even when the team fixed the bike and I left, my pace was that of the top five. I sprinted back to my bike, full of adrenaline, but we know it wasn't long since I had knee surgery. When I left, I wasn't 100%. So I'm going to go home, get back up to speed and try to finish the year strong in Jerez. »
