Ducati's stars shone during the World Superbike Championship tests at the Phillip Island circuit, but only one man dared to stand up to this red armada: Toprak Razgatlioglu, the current world champion of the ROKiT BMW team. But not without difficulty...
The reigning world champion, Toprak Razgatlioglu, struggled in pre-season testing at Phillip Island. Despite an early crash, the Turkish rider was able to find an encouraging pace but is cautious about the dominance of Ducati.
During the World Championship tests Superbike on the circuit of Phillip Island, Toprak Razgatlioglu managed to follow the Ducati, who dominated the test sessions. The quartet Ducaticomposed of Nicolo Bulega, Andrea Iannone, Danilo Petrucci et Álvaro Bautista, shone by finishing all in the top 5, with Open up in the lead during each session. But despite a violent fall from the first session, Razgatlioglu, the reigning champion from the ROKiT BMW team, was able to get back on his feet and put on a show of tenacity.
« The first two rounds of the morning were painful, but after that it got a lot better " said the Turk, who admitted to having suffered after the accident. But I gave up in the rain, I didn't need another fall. Now, after the test, everything hurts again, especially my butt »
Despite the sand, Razgatlioglu continued to fight, even though he didn't get a great lap time on the softer rear tyre, the SC0. He still showed good race pace on the harder rear tyre, which could prove crucial in the early races.
Toprak Razgatlioglu: “ I will never give up and I will try to win »
The champion, who saw improvements in his settings after the accident, however acknowledged that the work was not yet finished. We don't have the right race setup yet. We changed the traction control settings after the accident, but it's not 100% effective yet. In some corners, I'm still a bit afraid to open the throttle. As soon as I accelerate, I feel movements, it's not normal.. » However, he remains optimistic and determined. Ducati riders simply give their best, but I will never give up and I will try to win »
As for the weather conditions for the weekend, with risks of rain, L'Officiel BMW does not seem to be disturbed. On dry ground, you ride with more lean and have more traction, so the right setting is more important. In wet weather, the electronics are constantly intervening as soon as you lean over just a little bit. It doesn't scare me »
With a champion's mentality and unwavering determination, Toprak Razgatlioglu is ready to fight for victory, even in the face of Ducati in shape.
