WorldSBK Phillip Island: ‘I gave everything, every race’ - Razgatlioglu

Pata Yamaha’s Toprak Razgatlioglu competed the WorldSBK season finale at Phillip Island winless but with a double podium to his name.

Finishing second is no fun when you were the world champion from the year before, but Razgatlioglu really didn’t look like he was enjoying himself on Sunday, and not just because the weather was changeable, angry and always turning up at the wrong times.

“The Superpole race is okay, not bad,” Razgatlioglu admitted as 2022 came to a close. “I was small fighting with Johnny, but important is race two, always. I tried my best, but after ten laps there was a big drop from my rear tyre. Anyway, I saw [Alex] Lowes after he passed me, he was pushing for two laps. After I saw him start spinning, I said, ‘Okay, now I am braking a little bit and in the last two laps I will try to pass him.’’

A red flag came out with Lowes ahead and he was given third place as a result.

“I see that he is very lucky, but he needs the bonus because he has two babies…” joked Toprak. “I’m really happy for Lowes, because he is also very strong this weekend. I did not finish the season, the last race, on the podium but we are second position in the championship. Every race we are fighting big for the best results. So, I’m really happy.”

Bautista finished a decent 72 points ahead of Razgatlioglu, but even if the Turkish rider was a little closer in the points, maybe second would have been the best he could have expected?

“I gave everything, every race,” he replied. “My big problem was in early season races, but after, I’m feeling much better on the bike. I tried my best in every race. Okay, we have now a second championship finish, but why not are we world champions?

“Anyway, everybody tried their best. Alvaro was very