WSBK Superbike Portugal Race 1: Toprak Razgatlioğlu wins ahead of Álvaro Bautista who limits the damage…

At 15 p.m. (French time), start of the planned clash between Jonathan Rhea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) and Soil Razgatlioson (Pata Yamaha with Brixx WorldSBK) to try to regain some points from Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati), the riders of the Superbike World Championship are still in their box at the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve, near Portimão in Portugal, awaiting the return of the medical helicopter left to take the unfortunate Victor Steeman (MTM Kawasaki) to Faro hospital after his very serious kick during the first race of the Supersport 300, the Dutch driver suffering from multiple trauma and a head injury.

 

As a result, the pit lane opens with a small hour delay, but for a racing distance reduced from 20 to 14 laps, which can change everyone's choice of tires, between the Pirelli SC0 standard or the SC0A on a track heated to 44°.

Under the Portuguese sun, Jonathan Rhea, Soil Razgatlioson et alex lowes, compose the first line, before Alvaro Bautista whose time initially canceled due to yellow flags was finally reinstated following a meeting after the session, Andrea Locatelli (Pata Yamaha with Brixx WorldSBK) and the very recent renewed Axel Bassani (Motocorsa Racing) whose time was also restored to second place, while Loris Baz (Bonovo Action BMW), 6th for a moment, will finally start 7th.

When the red lights go out, Jonathan Rea does not miss his 365th start since his 40th pole position and flies to what could be his 118th victory ahead Soil Razgatlioson, Alex Lowes, Axel Bassani, Alvaro Bautista, Andrea Locatelli, Scott Redding, Michael Rinaldi and Loris Baz.

The Northern Irishman sets a great pace and manages to maintain a half-second lead over the Turkish driver. In the next round, Axel Bassani takes the best of alex lowes for third position, while Jonathan Rhea seems to be able to escape and that Scott Redding temporarily takes the best of Andrea Locatelli.

However, after four rounds, Soil Razgatlioson manages to get back into the lead of the leading Kawasaki.

As usual, the Turkish driver took the advantage at the end of the straight and immediately managed to build up a small lead of four or five lengths.

More Jonathan Rhea does not give up and returns to contact with the Yamaha official while Alvaro Bautista et Axel Bassani compete together for 3rd place.

At mid-race, it was the Spaniard who obtained the latter while Soil Razgatlioson seems to be controlling the race at the front, even if the gaps remain very small between the first three.

Alvaro Bautista also returns to the wheel of the Cannibal and passes the latter in the straight line four laps from the checkered flag. Unfortunately for him, he was too long on the brakes and was passed by the number 65 Kawasaki in the first corner.

Obviously, he starts the same maneuver again on the next pass and, this time, manages to turn in front Jonathan Rhea.

On your mind, Soil Razgatlioson now has a second and a half lead and flies to his 9th victory of the season while Axel Bassani et alex lowes reward us with a great fight for 4th place during the last two laps and that Scott Redding fall in the last lap.

 

In the closed park, Soil Razgatlioson reminds that this is not the time for celebration, while waiting for news of Victor Steeman.

In the championship, Alvaro Bautista sees its lead go from 59 to 54 points on Soil Razgatlioson but increase to 71 units on Jonathan Rhea.

Results from Race 1 of the WorkdSBK Superbike in Portimão:

Classification credit: WorldSBK.com