WorldSBK Estoril: ‘I try everything’ - Razgatlioglu

Before the opening WorldSBK race at Estoril some people were talking like this track could be the perfect venue for the reigning World Champion to record not just his first race win of 2022, but his first triple in WorldSBK history. He has come close before, but unfortunately regulations or bad luck have intervened.

This time it was the final corner presence of the hyper-fast Ducati Panigale V4R and the equally fast Alvaro Bautista that turned Toprak’s corner exit lead into a second place on Saturday afternoon, as the Ducati flew past up the straight. No Toprak triple here but he was not too disconsolate, just resigned to his fate, it seemed.

“I’m happy because I’m feeling like 2021 in the race,” said the Turkish star. “I tried some hard braking and I passed the riders easy. Also I rode very well. Just the last corner and the last lap in the straight, Alvaro passed me. Normally I’m waiting, but not like this because I am feeling like I I ride a 600 bike. But anyway, I fight a good race.”

A tough race, with lots of battles with KRT’s Jonathan Rea, took its toll on Razgatlioglu’s set-up and tyres, which did not help at the end. “My tyre started to drop and also not good the exit of the corner. Also, Ducati gain really fast in the straight and really good exit of the corner because of more power. I think my rear tyre not finish. I think Alvaro again passed me because the Ducati in the straight is a very fast bike. But anyway, I’m fighting.”

The many and often fights with Rea were not stressful for Razgatlioglu, not in themselves, at least. “No, I was not feeling stress, just enjoying,” he said. “After I fight with Jonny, I close the gas because don’t kill the tyre because I have more laps for the race. I’m not pushing.