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