WorldSBK Portimao: Razgatlioglu ‘needed win’ after Catalunya

Once again a confident and entertaining Toprak Razgatlioglu dominated a race in WorldSBK, this time Saturday’s opening action at Portimao.

Long jumping in practice, devastatingly fast in Superpole until pipped at the last by Jonathan Rea, the Pata Yamaha rider would ease away to win a shortened 14-lap race one, after the long delays caused by the serious accident suffered by Victor Steeman in WorldSSP300.

Once the minds had to be focused on the racing again, as they must be if you are a professional racer like Razgatlioglu, his leading plan worked out well once Rea had made a great start from pole position.

“In first laps I’m not pushing,” Razgatlioglu explained from Portugal on Saturday afternoon. “I’m just watching Johnny. After that, I was starting. I just tried to keep the rear tyre all the race. After, I’m just riding like my style because I know my pace is very strong.

“After I passed Johnny, I’m just riding. Last five laps, four laps, I see the gap and I ride more relaxed. I see [Alvaro] Bautista last two laps is coming, but I don’t take the risk. Because I’m feeling the front right side of the tyre does not have good grip. I’m feeling some sliding. I don’t take the risk the last two laps. I’m just normal riding.”

Razgatlioglu seemed very motivated this weekend, especially having to see Bautista win three times from three in Catalunya. “Again, we win because I say I see Catalunya…” said Toprak. “Bautista three times won. I said, ‘OK, enough. I need Portimao. One more win again. We are happy for this,” he went serious for a moment as he stated what a lot of people were thinking. “But, we are not super happy because a 300 rider had a big crash today. We are waiting good news. We are not celebrating (the race win).