WorldSBK Donington: Razgatlioglu dreaming of three-win weekend

After some tricky points in the early season, Pata Yamaha’s Toprak Razgatlioglu won the Superpole Race at Misano, and then followed that up with an unexpectedly clear WorldSBK race one win in the sunshine of an English summer’s day at Donington Park.

KRT’s Jonathan Rea had set a pole time so fast, and had such strong pre-race pace in general, that he was looked on as favourite. After Razgatlioglu and his tech crew made some real changes for the first race, however, it was the tall Turk that turned potential into pure gold.

A cheeky rolling stoppie over the finish line, looking back to find Rea almost seven seconds back, and no Alvaro Bautista (Aruba Ducati) at all after he had crashed. It was all classic 2021 champion trademark touches.

Hard to see how Razgatlioglu’s day could have been better, he explained why he had suddenly gone from fast to untouchable for the first 23-lap race, saying, “Yesterday we had a big problem with grip, but today we improved.

“We had very consistent lap times. I see that I was just focused on ’27 lows. After I saw the five seconds and maybe closed the gas. Maybe I pushed again. Maybe I see again 1’27.9, ’27.8, maybe ’28.0 but after the last three laps, I close the gas because this is first victory this year for me (in a full distance race). I did not take the risk.

“After the last lap, I was thinking, ‘I see seven seconds…’ OK, finish line - I need a stoppie again like Magny-Cours!

“I’m really happy today. Thanks to my team because a huge effort the last two days for a good bike. Also, we have not finished the weekend. We have two races. After I was world champion, I have a dream - one race weekend, three wins. This weekend we will try. We will see.”

Amazing as it sounds Razgatlioglu has