Razgatlıoğlu Wins Epic Portimão Battle for Race 1 Victory

06-10-2021

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Pata Yamaha with Brixx WorldSBK rider Toprak Razgatlıoğlu extended his lead in the 2021 FIM Superbike World Championship to 45 points with an incredible win in Race 1 of the 11^th round of the season at the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve.

Having achieved his second pole position of the season (on the bounce) this morning, the team’s Turkish sensation went on to play an epic game of “cat and mouse” with both main championship rival Kawasaki’s Jonathan Rea and Ducati rider Scott Redding for the lead.

It looked set to be race-long three-way battle until Rea crashed at Turn 15 on the fifth lap of the race, leaving Razgatlıoğlu and Redding to daringly trade places on the rollercoaster Portimão circuit for the remaining 15 laps.

"In another last-lap WorldSBK thriller, it wasn’t clear until the final sector if championship-leader Razgatlıoğlu would be able to cross the line first – as he finally managed to pull a small gap from the hard-charging Redding to win by 0.691s at the chequered flag. Race 1 was not easy because Jonathan and Scott are very strong here. Also after Jonny crashed, we are fighting with Scott and for me it was not an easy race to win. I am happy, because again we could win, but I say again this was very difficult! I was feeling like we did not have enough because the Ducati was very fast on the straight, but I think tomorrow we can improve some points and we will be coming back again stronger. Every race we are improving, also this morning we improved my bike because yesterday I was not feeling really good, but now the bike is much better. So thanks to my team for this hard work, I am happy for the 11th win! I am still not looking at the championship, it’s not good that Jonny crashed but also we are pushing very hard on track, trying everything only to win. I am happy that he is ok, I know he is coming tomorrow stronger, I hope we can also improve my bike again tomorrow and that we will be fighting again with him and Scott for the win. " Say Toprak Razgatlıoğlu

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Pic : www.yamaha-racing.com