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CONNECT FOUR: Razgatlioglu pips Lowes and Petrucci to Portimao pole

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Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) is starting to make P1 on the grid his own as he secured another MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship pole position despite ever-increasing pressure from his rivals. ‘El Turco’ smashed into the 1’39s barrier to claim top spot in the Tissot Superpole session at the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve, just beating Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) and Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) who will complete the front row for Race 1 at the Pirelli Portuguese Round.

THE FIRST RUN: smashing into the 1’39s…

There was a rush as the pit lane opened for the 15-minute session, with the entire field bar Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) heading straight out although the #11 went out a couple of minutes later. Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) went straight into the 1’39s bracket – the first of the weekend – to post a 1’39.870s and claim a provisional pole position. Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) was able to find time on his second flying lap to move himself into second, ahead of the out-of-sync Bulega who was 0.003s slower than ‘Petrux’.

FOUR IN A ROW: Razgatlioglu claims pole, Lowes and Petrucci P2 and P3

Razgatlioglu improved his time even in further in his second stint with a 1’39.783s and he was unable to go even faster, but it was enough for a fourth consecutive pole position ahead of Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK), who was the second rider in the 1’39s bracket and only a tenth away from ‘El Turco’. Third in Superpole was Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) after the #9 became the third rider in the 1’39s; his 1’39.971s just 0.188s away from pole position. For Lowes, it’s his 21st front row and third of the season while it’s Petrucci’s third in his WorldSBK career; his first since the 2023 Czech Round.

A STRONG PERFORMANCE: Bulega, van der Mark, Bautista on the second row

Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) claimed fourth with a 1’40.127s, a strong result for ‘Bulegas’ despite missing the entirety of FP1 on Friday. He was a tenth clear of Michael van der Mark (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) in fifth, with the Dutchman following his teammate to set his fastest time. Reigning Champion Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) was sixth to complete the second row, half-a-second away from Razgatlioglu.

COMPLETING THE TOP TEN: Rea in P8, Aegerter completes the top ten

The two Pata Prometeon Yamaha riders will line up from the third row, with Andrea Locatelli lapping 0.012s clear of six-time Champion Jonathan Rea. Garrett Gerloff (Bonovo Action BMW) ensured three BMW machines in the top ten as he claimed ninth, while Dominique Aegerter (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) completed the top ten. He posted a 1’40.505s to secure his spot in the top ten places and will lead away the fourth row.

TO NOTE: Rabat impresses, Lecuona crashes

Tito Rabat (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) posted a 1’40.518s to claim P11 ahead of Axel Bassani (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) in 12th, with the Kawasaki duo separated by just 0.020s. At Honda, Xavi Vierge (Team HRC) was the fastest rider in 13th while teammate Iker Lecuona will line up from last after setting a 1’43.308s; he crashed at Turn 14 with 1:30 left in the session.

The top six from WorldSBK Tissot Superpole, full results here:

1 Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) 1’39.783s

2. Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) +0.104s

3. Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) +0.188s

4. Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) +0.344s

5. Michael van der Mark (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) +0.463s

6. Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) +0.578s

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Source: WorldSBK.com

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