WorldSBK Most: Double winner Razgatlioglu brushes off hard passes

Now on a total of seven WorldSBK race wins in 2022, when what feels like five minutes ago he had struggle dot record even one, Toprak Razgatlioglu and his Pata Yamaha are now back to top form.

He’s won six races now, but he did not enjoy every aspect of Race Two, which he eventually won in fine style. “After fifteen laps, yes, I was enjoying it, but before, no, because we are fighting.”

Strange because Toprak always enjoys a scrap. It’s how he trains, racing other riders on smaller bikes, shoulder-to-shoulder.

“Yeah, always I enjoy to fight. Just one problem. Alvaro’s bike is very fast. I’m not enjoying it on the straight. Braking yes, but I follow him. On the straight, he is very fast. I’m in front of him, I’m enjoying. He just passed me and after, I lost him again in braking. But anyway… a good race.”

On Sunday in the long race Razgatlioglu had enough tyre for all 22 laps, and then used it to great effect near the end.

“Yesterday my rear tyre dropped. Also, I’m not easy pass Jonny and Scott. But today we improved, thanks to my team. Every day we improve, but especially today with a big step. I need rear grip after fifteen laps. First lap I don’t need grip, and also I’m able to keep the tyre.

“After I followed Johnny and Bautista, I see Bautista start to go and pass Johnny, and after I tried to pass Bautista. After I passed Bautista, I rode more relaxed. I see in my board the gap, and I see my lap time more fast. I rode more relaxed.”

Razgatlioglu said it was the greater confidence from his lat tyre grip that saw him ride in a more controlled manner than day one at Most.

“The better feeling with the tyres,” he affirmed. “I was feeling good grip after fifteen laps. Okay, I’m spinning but better than yesterday. Also I saw