Mallorca’s Marc Vich has taken a vital victory in his hunt for the 2024 FIM Yamaha R3 bLU cRU World Cup crown after a thrilling Race 1 which saw the top seven riders cross the line separated by only +0.629s. Title rival Gonzalo Sanchez finished third.

After a season of incredibly close racing and the emergence of several rising stars the title chase will come down to the last R3 bLU cRU World Cup race of the year at MotorLand Aragon on Sunday September 28^th.

Race 1 was pivotal with Vich leading Sanchez by just nine points as the lights went out, and although the two Spaniards both attempted to make a break at the front, this proved impossible. A lead group of eight riders created one of the best track battles of the year, making both the race win and the championship swing impossible to call. Despite dropping back in the pack several times throughout the nine-lap dash, Sanchez was determined to fight through to the front, and the 16-year-old from nearby Teruel was rewarded with third place. Brazil’s Eduardo Burr charged through to attempt the win, pushing Vich until the end, eventually losing out by the tiny margin of +0.036s to finish second. But it was Vich’s relentlessly calm and focused riding which saw him through to the 25-points, giving him an 18-point lead going into Sunday’s Race 2. Burr closes to within three points of Alessandro Di Persio for third in the championship.

FULL RESULTS – R3 bLU cRU World Cup – RACE ONE 

CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS – R3 bLU cRU World Cup

Watch the conclusion of the 2024 FIM Yamaha R3 bLU cRU World Cup live at 11:50 CET on Sunday September 28^th.

Marc Vich said: “I’m really happy, the team and I have done a great job and I was able to manage the title gap. It’s been a very important race today, we’re happy with the result and I can’t ask for anything more. At the beginning of the race there were some contacts with other riders and I dropped back a bit but I knew I had good speed and I just tried to keep my rhythm. Tomorrow is a new day and let’s see what happens.”

Source: WorldSBK.com

It has been an outstanding comeback for current Championship leader Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) as he finished second on the podium at MotorLand Aragon in Race 1 of the weekend. His MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship return from injury has impressed the paddock with his rostrum race result.

RACE TARGET: “Was to win the race…”

On his first race back since his injury resulting from a crash in the French Round, and having never won a race at Aragon previously, the #54 was able to claim a podium finish. He was quick in Friday practice before securing fifth in Tissot Superpole on Saturday morning, and he was able to convert that into a podium finish as he took second behind Andrea Iannone (Team GoEleven).

Discussing his fitness following the 18-lap race, and reviewing the race itself, ‘El Turco’ said: “The feeling is good because after the big crash, I came back, finished the race on the podium. This is incredible for me. My target was to win the race but in the last five laps, the front tyre had a really big drop. I was just trying to ride the bike and Andrea rode really, really well especially in the last laps. His pace was unbelievable. I’m feeling just muscle pain, the general feeling is good, but especially the shoulder and ribs, everywhere has pain. On the bike, this position was feeling good. I’m enjoying riding a bike again. I’m not feeling tired, only after the race, but this is normal.”

FITNESS UPDATE: “I’m feeling just muscle pain, the general feeling is good…”

Returning to the WorldSBK Championship after a month of not riding a bike, the #54 said: “After one month, it’s not easy to only jump on the bike and get a podium. I’m feeling just muscle pain, the general feeling is good, but especially the shoulder and ribs, everywhere has pain. On the bike, this position was feeling good. I’m enjoying riding a bike again. I’m not feeling tired, only after the race, but this is normal.”

PIRELLIS NEW TYRE AT ARAGON: Toprak opts for SC2 on Sunday

Pirelli brought new development tyres to the round which Razgatlioglu used for his choices, with the SC1-A fitted to the front of his M 1000 RR and the SC0-A to the rear. Razgatlioglu explained why he opted to use the SC1-A front as opposed to the standard medium solution, after not completing an 18-lap run during either of Friday’s practice sessions.

He said: “Even if I wasn’t feeling some problems with tyres, I don’t know if I’m winning or not because his pace was really strong. I hope we improve the bike a little for tomorrow. I’m riding easier because I’m always feeling of the limit at corners, especially the engine braking wasn’t working well. I used the new front tyre, but I didn’t do 18 laps with this tyre. I used, yesterday, the standard SC1 and after 10 laps, there was a big drop. I thought this one was better because I hadn’t tried the SC2, I didn’t know what the grip and tyre life was. It looks like for tomorrow, I’ll use the SC2 because, with the SC1, it wasn’t easy to ride the bike in the last five laps. Tomorrow, we have two more races and I’m fighting for the win again.”

Can Razgatlioglu secure a second podium on Sunday? Find out using the WorldSBK VideoPass – now only €9.99!

Source: WorldSBK.com

An opportunity gone at Aragon for Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) as the rookie Italian suffered a mechanical problem on the second Warm Up Lap of a restarted Race 1 of the Tissot Aragon Round. The reigning WorldSSP Champion was seen speaking intensely to his mechanic after the sighting lap during the quick start procedure, explaining that he could hear a strange noise. The original race was red-flagged after Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) suffered a crash at Turn 4 due to a winglet from Jonathan Rea’s (Pata Prometeon Yamaha) becoming caught in the rear wheel after contact at Turn 2. The Warm Up Lap of the restart was when drama hit Bulega, with smoke billowing out from his Ducati Panigale V4 R at Turn 10, resulting in him pulling off before the race started.

“I LOST A LOT OF POINTS” – Bulega laments missed opportunity

“I was unlucky today; we had a problem with my bike and I lost a lot of points,” began a dejected Bulega, now 33 points back in the Championship from Toprak Razgatlioglu. “I had a very good feeling with the bike so I lost points and the possibility to win. When I did the last sector of the sighting lap, I started to hear something strange. I said this to my mechanic on the quick restart and then on the Warm Up Lap, I felt it more and then I stopped.”

A BIG HIT FOR ENGINE ALLOCATION? “We think it’s an engine problem”

When asked about what he thought it could be, Bulega was rather short with his answer: “The team have to check but we think it’s an engine problem.”

There’s also the problem of engine allocation for Bulega, who had to have an engine change at both Portimao after Friday practice and after the Cremona Superpole Race. Although team boss Serafino Foti insisted at the time that it was on “safety” grounds, the engine allocation is a topic but one Nicolo wants to distance himself from: “I don’t know as it’s not my work; I only think about opening the throttle, the team do the rest.”

Talking about whether or not he has a plan for Sunday to regain points on Razgatlioglu, there’s anger as a motivation for Sunday: “Now, I’m going to use this angry feeling for tomorrow and try to recover points and forget this day. There’s no plan. I was fast today, I had a good feeling and I was able to win today. I’ll try again tomorrow with all I can.”

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Source: WorldSBK.com

Perfect track conditions greeted the FIM Supersport World Championship Race 1 on Saturday afternoon, as Championship leader Adrian Huertas (Aruba.it Racing WorldSSP Team) claimed yet another dominant first place victory as he increased his lead to Championship rivals Stefano Manzi (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing) and Yari Montella (Barni Spark Racing Team).

TWO PERFECT DAYS: Can Huertas make it three?

After claiming the Tissot Superpole Award on Friday following four consecutive pole positions, the 21-year-old Spaniard will be looking to make it three out of three first place results with Sunday’s Race 2. The 15-lap race at the Aragon round showcased an exciting battle for the podium positions, with Montella and Valentin Debise (Evan Bros. WorldSSP Yamaha Team) strong at lights out and dualling for second place.

MONTELLA LOSES POSITIONS: #55 struggles with late race pace

Despite his strong start in the race, Montella appeared to struggle with his late race pace, with the Yamahas proving to be the more dominate bike on the track. He missed out on a podium result, as Debise crossed the line over six tenths quicker just behind Manzi who secure a confident second place at the Spanish Circuit.

Coming in over the chequered line in fifth was Jorge Navarro (Orelac Racing Verdnatura) and Lucas Mahias (GMT94 Yamaha) who rounded off the top 6 finishers at the Spanish round. #9 Can Oncu (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) rode a strong race to finish seventh ahead of Federico Caricasulo (Motozoo ME AIR Racing) and Dutchman Glenn van Straalen (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing) in eighth and ninth, whilst Bahattin Sofuoglu (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) rounded of the Race 1 top 10 riders.

CAN ANYONE STOP HUERTAS? Ducati rider consistent results

#99 Ducati rider rode home to win his 10^th victory of the 2024 season at Aragon, whilst Manzi gives Yamaha their 400^th podium placement as they become the first manufacturer to reach this milestone. The new Aragon track surface didn’t seem to phase Huertas who now extends his strong Championship lead. Italian riders Yari Montella and Stefano Manzi are chasing down the seemingly unstoppable Spaniard, who are now equal on points after Race 1, with 304 points, whilst #99 remains at the top with 359 points.

The top six from WorldSSP Race 1, full results here:

1. Adrián Huertas (Aruba.it Racing WorldSSP Team)
2. Stefano Manzi (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing) +1.929s
3. Valentin Debise (Evan Bros. WorldSSP Yamaha Team) +2.062s
4. Yari Montella (Barni Spark Racing Team) +2.706s
5. Jorge Navarro (Orelac Racing Verdnatura) +7.332s
6. Lucas Mahias (GMT94 Yamaha) +9.384s

Don’t miss the WorldSSP Tissot Aragon Race 2 at 15:15 Local Time (UTC+1) using the WorldSBK VideoPass – Just €9.99

Source: WorldSBK.com

Another weekend, another new winner in the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship. After a season of highs and lows, Andrea Iannone (Team GoEleven) claimed victory at MotorLand Aragon to end an incredible eight-year drought without standing on the top step of the podium, leading all but one lap across the line during Race 1 for the Tissot Aragon Round as he claimed a memorable victory, his first in almost 3000 days.

ALMOST A LIGHTS-TO-FLAG WIN: Iannone unbeatable at Aragon…

‘The Maniac’ was quick at Cremona and he carried that on at Aragon, taking second on the grid although he was promoted to de facto pole when Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati), due to start from P1, had technical issues on the Warm Up lap for the restarted race. He got a good start when lights went out although he appeared to be bottling the field up at times, with Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) and Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) taking it in turns to challenge Iannone. The #29 resisted those challenges and, despite Petrucci leading across the line at the end of Lap 8, opened a gap of 0.845s to Razgatlioglu in second at the end of the 17-lap race and led 16 of the 17 laps across the line – despite running out of fuel on the final lap.

IANNONE’S THOUGHTS: reacting to his first win

Discussing the race, which featured incredible battles with his rivals as well as the last-lap fuel drama, Iannone said: “Honestly, in the beginning, I struggled a lot with the front tyres, but lap by lap, I improved the feeling and I felt really good and confident with the bike in the last five or six laps. This is important. Today, the last lap was really difficult because I ran out of fuel. I arrived with the clutch in my hands, without engine power, only with speed! I’m really lucky.”

THE STATS: an eighth different winner of the season…

Iannone became the eighth different winner this season, the first time this number has been reached since 2012 when there were 9. He’s also the fourth new winner of the season, joining Bulega and Barni Spark Racing Team winners Nicholas Spinelli and Danilo Petrucci, who took a hat-trick and Cremona which means the last four races have been won by Independent riders. And, of course, Iannone joins the club of riders who have won in MotoGP™ and WorldSBK, with the tally now standing at 19 with Petrucci and Iannone’s wins in recent weeks. On a personal level, Iannone’s last win in any Championship was in MotoGP™ when he claimed victory at the Red Bull Ring in 2016 on the Ducati Desmosedici GP16. Race 1 victory at Aragon ends a 2967-day wait for Iannone to stand on the top step of the rostrum.

“I HAD TO RECOVER A LOT THIS YEAR… EVERYTHING WAS DIFFICULT” – Iannone

Reacting to his win, Iannone said: “It’s amazing. I came back to have this feeling and it’s always special. Today is a little bit different as it was after a long, long time. It’s not easy to come back but it’s really special. I had a really difficult moment, and, in the end, the dream always lived inside me. In the end, I decided to come back. It’s not easy. I had to recover a lot this year as, after a long time, everything was difficult. Today, we are here and I’m really happy.”

Asked where it compares to other moments in his life, Iannone explained: “I didn’t just win the race today, I won the race of my life! I won the race to prove to me that I’m a strong man. I won the race, I’m happy, it was a good race but it’s different compared to MotoGP™. Everything is different. Today I won a really important race.”

SACCHETTI LEFT SPEECHLESS: “I’m really proud… I’m so happy, but it’s difficult to say something!”

For Team GoEleven, the scenes were reminiscent of the 2020 season when Michael Ruben Rinaldi (Team Motocorsa Racing) claimed victory for the team. It was also the #21’s first win in WorldSBK. Speaking after the race, Team Manager Denis Sacchetti discussed what it meant for the team to return to the top step after a four-year wait.

“It’s a big emotion for me,” began Sacchetti. “It was a fantastic result, it’s incredible… it’s difficult to find the correct words to say! I think we did an incredible job, all the mechanical staff and Andrea. I’m really proud so thanks to all my staff and Andrea, because we bet on him this year. I’m so happy, but it’s difficult to say something! I think the key is all with trust in the project. Never give up and work together to improve step by step in every area. The people always make the difference so it’s important to get the best from people involved in the project.”

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Source: WorldSBK.com

The MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship returned for a thrilling Race 1 at the Tissot Aragon round in Spain on Saturday. Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) took the hole shot at lights out, with Andrea Ianonne (Team GoEleven) and Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) chasing him down. The race was shortly red flagged however after British rider Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) suffered a mechanical failure on his bike which resulted in a crash on Lap1 of the race.

LOWES AND BULEGA OUT: Pivotal Championship result 

With a 17-lap revised race after the track conditions were deemed safe, an unexpected mechanical issue for Ducati rider Bulega on the warm up lap, forced him out of the race restart. He joined Sam Lowes trackside who was also unable to return to the grid following his crash. #29 Anrdea Iannone led the field from the restart, with last week’s triple race winner, Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) hunting him down and fellow Italian, Andrea Locatelli (Pata Prometeon Yamaha) close on his tail. At 10 laps remaining, it was Petrucci who flew to first position, with an impressive performance from Championship leader Razgatlioglu riding a strong second place in his comeback race.

BAUTISTA FINDS PACE: #1 challenges for rostrum

It was a close five-way battle for much of the race, with 2023 World Champion Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) in close contention, amongst rivals Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) and Garrett Gerloff (Bonovo Action BMW). With 9 laps remaining, Bautista challenged the #54 for a podium spot, but failed to make it stick, running out wide into the track and falling to sixth. Fast forward to 1 and a half laps of race distance remaining, and Iannone was out in front, finding strong race pace and gapping Razgatlioglu and Gerloff in second and third. Bautista had worked his way back, challenged Gerloff for third on the last lap, but an impressive response from Gerloff kept him on the rostrum, with the Spaniard taking fourth at the chequered flag.

FOURTH NEW WINNER: Iannone takes 5th career podium  

Four new race winners, including Nicolo Bulega, Nicholas Spinelli, Petrucci and now Iannone have taken the top podium position in the 2024 WorldSBK Championship season, the first time since 2008 (Fonsi Nieto, Neukirchner, Carlos Checa and Kiyonari). #29 becomes the fifteenth Italian to step on the podium, and becomes the 82^nd WorldSBK winner. It was Petrucci who led Spaniard Iker Lecuona (Team HRC) to round off the top 6 in Race 1, with Alex Lowes and Xavi Vierge (Team HRC) crossing the line in seventh and eight whilst Michael van der Mark (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) and Locatelli completed the top 10 finishers at the Spanish circuit.

CHAMPIONSHIP BATTLES: Toprak extends lead

Toprak Razgatlioglu has increased his Championship campaign to 385 points with his Race 1 result, with Nicolo Bulega remaining on 352 and Bautista increasing his points to 296.

The top six from WorldSBK Race 1, full results here:

1. Andrea Iannone (Team GoEleven)
2. Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) +0.845s
3. Garrett Gerloff (Bonovo Action BMW) +1.124s
4. Álvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) +1.190s
5. Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) +2.528s
6. Iker Lecuona (Team HRC) +4.758s

Don’t miss the WorldSBK Tissot Aragon Race 2 at 14:00 Local Time (UTC+1) using the WorldSBK VideoPass – Just €9.99

Source: WorldSBK.com

The FIM Supersport 300 World Championship returned to the Tissot Aragon Round on Saturday for the first Race of the weekend, and it was the 20-year-old Inigo Iglesias (Fusport-RT Motorsports by SKM-Kawasaki) who took glory on home soil as he battled his way to the top spot of the podium in a closely contested Race 1. He led second place Julio García (KOVE Racing Team) across the line by a fine margin of 0.010s, with Loris Veneman (MTM Kawasaki) in third; achieving his seventh podium result of the season so far.

THREE HORSE RACE: Just 12 points separate Championship top 3

It was a five-way battle from lights out at the Spanish circuit, as Veneman took an early lead in the 11-lap race, but was soon demoted down the field as he was forced off the track on lap 2. This made space for current Championship leader Aldi Mahendra (Team BrCorse) to move into first position. The race continued to entertain the spectators throughout as the battle for the top 3 spots continuously changed. It was the #7 Dutchman who worked his way back to the front at half race distance, leading Iglesias and Julio García (KOVE Racing Team), as Mahendra fell back to seventh.

WILDCARD IMPRESSES: Torres overtakes to lead Race 1

With just five laps remaining, Antonio Torres (MS Racing) was eager to make a name for himself as he took control of the field and rode into first. The 17-year-old who replaced David Salvador (MS Racing) for the Aragon round, made an impressive move to lead, however Carter Thompson (Fsport-rt Motorsport By Skm-kawasaki) made this short lived as he took the led with just a third of the race distance remaining.

IGLESIAS RETURNS: WorldSSP300 Championship contender

After a season of mixed results for the #58 rider, it was clear he is now back on form and ready to fight for the Championship. A matter of 12 points now separate Mahendra, Veneman and Iglesias as the rivalry heats up ahead of Sunday’s Race 2. It was current Championship leader Aldi Mahendra took fifth at the chequered flag in Race behind Galang Hendra Pratama (ProGP NitiRacing) and Carter Thompson (Fusport-RT Motorsports by SKM-Kawasaki) rounded off the top 6.

Gustavo Manso (Yamaha AD78 FIM LA by MS Racing) and Spaniard Pepe Osuna (DEZA-Box 77 Racing Team) took seventh and eighth, with Jeffrey Buis (Freudenberg KTM-Paligo Racing) and Italian rider Marco Gagg (Team BrCorse) completing the top 10.

The top six from WorldSSP300 Race 1, full results here:

1. Inigo Iglesias (Fusport-RT Motorsports by SKM-Kawasaki)

2. Julio García (KOVE Racing Team) +0.010s

3. Loris Veneman (MTM Kawasaki) +0.041s

4. Galang Hendra Pratama (ProGP NitiRacing) +0.052s

5. Aldi Mahendra (Team BrCorse) +0.140s

6. Carter Thompson (Fusport-RT Motorsports by SKM-Kawasaki) +0.169s

Don’t miss WorldSSP300’s Tissot Race 2 at 12:45 Local Time (UTC+1) using the WorldSBK VideoPass – Just €9.99

Source: WorldSBK.com

Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) secured his second pole of the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship double header. Bulega beat the existing lap record as he set a 1’47.840s to secure P1 on the grid ahead of Andrea Iannone (Team GoEleven) and teammate Alvaro Bautista who completed the front row at MotorLand Aragon. Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) will line up from fifth for his injury comeback as he lapped half-a-second down on polesitter Bulega.

THE FIRST RUN: Iannone takes early advantage

It was Iannone who claimed provision pole with his first flying lap after setting a 1’48.208s, going ahead of Bautista and his teammate Bulega; less than a tenth separated Iannone and Bautista, while Razgatlioglu was P7 but only two tenths away from P1.  There were split strategies for the first run, with some riders like Iannone opting to do one flying lap while Bautista completed two as tyres looked to maximise the SCX tyre’s performance.

BACK ON THE FRONT ROW: Bulega on pole, Bautista on the front row for the first time in 2024

As the second stint got underway, Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) put in an incredible lap time of 1’47.840s – a new all-time lap record – to move into top spot and demote Iannone into second. The #29 was unable to improve his time in his second run as he took P2 in Superpole, while Bautista claimed third with a 1’48.258s to make it an all-Ducati front row for the second consecutive weekend. It was also Bautista’s first top-three finish in Superpole this season.

FIRST TIME IN 20 YEARS: top-four lockout for Ducati, Razgatlioglu fifth

Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) will line up fourth as he looks to extend his win streak, missing out on a front row by less than a tenth. With Petrucci in P4, it’s the first time in 20 years that Ducati have locked out the top four; that last occurred at Brands Hatch in August 2004. He’ll be joined on the second row by 2021 Champion Razgatlioglu, who took fifth as he returns from injury and targets a first Aragon victory. Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) was sixth after posting a 1’48.348s, although his session came to a premature halt after he crashed at Turn 5.

ON THE THIRD ROW: Locatelli P7, Lecuona P9

Andrea Locatelli (Pata Prometeon Yamaha) was the lead Yamaha rider in Superpole after posting a 1’48.357s to take seventh with Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) bouncing back from his Friday crash in style to claim eighth, only a few hundredths away from ‘Loka’. Iker Lecuona (Team HRC) would perhaps have hoped for more following good pace in the practice sessions but the #7 was forced to settle for ninth, with American star Garrett Gerloff (Bonovo Action BMW) rounding out the top ten.

A CLOSE SESSION: little to separate the WorldSBK field

Michael van der Mark (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) claimed 11^th ahead of Xavi Vierge (Team HRC), and Jonathan Rea (Pata Prometeon Yamaha) secured 13^th on his return from injury. It was a close session at Aragon, with one second separating the top 12 and 1.3 seconds separating Bulega on pole and Tito Rabat (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) in 19^th.

The top six from WorldSBK Superpole, full results here:

1. Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) 1’47.840s

2. Andrea Iannone (Team GoEleven) +0.368s

3. Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) +0.418s

4. Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) +0.474s

5. Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) +0.491s

6. Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) +0.508s

Don’t miss any moment from Race 1 at 14:00m Local Time (UTC+2) using the WorldSBK VideoPass – now only €9.99!

Source: WorldSBK.com

Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) claimed first place in Free Practice 3 for the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship field ahead of teammate Nicolo Bulega. The session was red-flagged with just under seven minutes to go at MotorLand Aragon, with Bautista setting his lap time after the session resumed. He was just under two tenths clear of Bulega while Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) claimed third ahead of Saturday’s action at the Tissot Aragon Round.

Bautista posted a 1’48.332s to take P1 ahead of teammate Bulega, whose 1’48.518s was enough to secure second ahead of Razgatlioglu in third, as the top three in the Championship – in reverse order – secured their places at the top of the timesheets. The trio were separated by just four tenths after the #54 set a 1’48.774s. All three riders improved their time in FP3 compared to what they were able to achieve on Friday.

Iker Lecuona (Team HRC) continued to show strong pace for Honda as he took fourth. The #7 posted a 1’48.922s to finishing just 0.005s clear of Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK), who had been top before the red flags were shown. Andrea Iannone (Team GoEleven) was sixth despite a Turn 13 crash around halfway through the session and the Italian rider didn’t return to the track following the incident.

American star Garrett Gerloff (Bonovo Action BMW) has continued to show good pace at Aragon, finishing seventh in FP3 as he set a 1’48.994s, finishing just 0.028s behind Iannone. Andrea Locatelli (Pata Prometeon Yamaha) was eighth with Xavi Vierge (Team HRC) ninth and Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) completing the top ten. Michael van der Mark (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) finished 11^th despite a tech issue on his M 1000 RR briefly bringing out the red flags so track conditions could be checked, with smoke and flames coming out the back of his M 1000 RR.

The top six from WorldSBK FP3, full results here:

1. Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) 1’48.332s

2. Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) +0.186s

3. Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) +0.442s

4. Iker Lecuona (Team HRC) +0.590

5. Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) +0.595s

6. Andrea Iannone (Team GoEleven) +0.634s

Watch WorldSBK Tissot Superpole at 11:00 Local Time (UTC+2) using the WorldSBK VideoPass – now only €9.99!

Source: WorldSBK.com

It was a BMW 1-2 on Friday at Aragon as Garrett Gerloff (Bonovo Action BMW) led Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) by the barest of margins at MotorLand Aragon. The American rider set a lap time of 1’49.017s, pipping Toprak by just 0.004s as the Tissot Aragon Round commended for the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship field.

Gerloff put on a fresh tyre right at the end of FP1 to claim second place, behind Razgatlioglu, with a 1’49.486s. He was able to continue that form into the afternoon FP2 session with a 1’49.017s as he beat the #54’s FP1 time to claim top spot overall by barely any margin and conclude a strong day for the German manufacturer. The Texan has been in good form lately and that looks set to continue at Aragon.

Reviewing his Friday, Gerloff said: “It’s so nice to start the weekend off like this. It’s just nice for things to be clicking. We didn’t have that at all at the beginning of the year, but now things are flowing so it’s nice to have that.”

Gerloff also discussed the return of Razgatlioglu to WorldSBK action after the Turkish star missed the French and Italian Rounds through the injury he sustained in France. The #54 has been pivotal to BMW’s success this season, winning 15 of their 16 victories and 18 of their 20 podiums, as he leads the Riders’ Championship with three rounds to go.

Commenting on Toprak’s return at the Aragon Round, Gerloff said he is more than happy to have him back: “I am super happy. For sure he can’t be 100%, to have a lung injury like that can’t be easy. It’s so nice to have him back and I am happy he has been able to come back as early as he has, he is the man out here, he is the reference, so now we can see where we really are!”

Watch the WorldSBK Saturday track action live at Aragon using the WorldSBK VideoPass – now €9.99!

Source: WorldSBK.com