WorldSBK Aragon: Razgatlioglu on pole for 2022 season opener

Pata Yamaha’s Toprak Razgatlioglu began his WorldSBK title defence with pole position at Motorland Aragon ahead of Saturday’s opening race.

The Turk’s 1’48.267 lap struck for a new lap record as he bettered Aruba.it Ducati’s Alvaro Bautista, by a mere 0.006s, and 2021 rival Jonathan Rea in the first Superpole battle of the season.

Initial shots fired found Razgatlioglu on top with a 1’48.666 from Bautista and the Kawasaki of Alex Lowes after the opening laps registered before Rea displaced his teammate for the provisional front row. The Italian trio of Michael Rinaldi, Andrea Locatelli and late signing Roberto Tamburini sat fifth to seventh with HRC’s Iker Lecuona, GRT Yamaha’s Garrett Gerloff and Motocorsa Ducati’s Axel Bassani completing the opening top ten.

Scott Redding began his BMW journey from 11th in the times after the opening runs Loris Baz, Ilya Mikhalchik and Eugene Laverty holding 14th, 15th and 18th respectively on the final M100RR’s with seven minutes left on the clock.

Baz promoted his Bonovo to sixth on fresh tyres as the second runs began to fly. Lecuona claiming the position and heading Xavi Vierge as the Honda rookies demoted the Frenchman with Mikhalchik and Gerloff adding to his pain shortly after.

Rea arrived with a 1’48.476 next time around as Lowes failed to improve his time in fourth before both Bautista then Razgatlioglu bettered out front. The reigning champ securing control as the flag prepared with a new lap record after a 1’48.267 effort. Just two-tenths covering the front row as Rea settled for third.

Rinaldi headed row two from Lowes and Locatelli on the second Pata machine as the Ducati/Kawasaki/Yamaha battle continued. Strong rookie showings saw Lecuona and Mikhalchik leading Bassani