He’d been waiting a while, but his perseverance and determination finally brought the end result; Toprak Razgatlioglu (Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK) is back on top in a feature race for the first time in 2023. Making it two wins on Sunday, the 2021 World Champion managed to close the gap in the standings from 95 points ahead of Race 2 to 70 come the close of it, after Championship leader Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) crashed at Turn 3 on the opening lap.
Starting with the ten-lap Superpole Race, Razgatlioglu struggled to pass teammate Andrea Locatelli and went down to third when Bautista came through into the Variante Bassa just before half distance. Bautista then blasted ahead of ‘Loka’ on the run to Turn 2, leaving the Yamaha duo second and third. Despite an attempt to pass home-hero Locatelli at Turn 7, the #54 of Razgatlioglu couldn’t get through, shaking his head on the exit of the corner. However, at the Variante Alta, he got into P2 and started chasing down the #1. On the penultimate lap, he came through for the lead at the dramatic Piratella, and despite Bautista trying his best, Toprak held top spot.
In Race 2, Bautista crashed out on Lap 1 of 15 – the race distance reduced due to the high temperatures – leaving it a land of opportunity for the likes of Razgatlioglu, Axel Bassani (Motocorsa Racing) and Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK). Razgatlioglu led the way but at halfway, Bassani put a smile on the crowd’s faces as he hit the front, although he couldn’t fend off Razgatlioglu for long. The Turkish star pressured the Italian for the next handful of laps before passing him into Rivazza on Lap 12 and breaking clear for his first feature race victory of the 2023 season.
Speaking about his Superpole Race fight, the now 102-time podium finisher said: “The biggest problem in the Superpole Race was that my dashboard wasn’t working, the buttons weren’t working and it looked like the electronics weren’t working, so I was full lean angle, zero electronics! Then, I picked up the bike a little bit and I felt a bit but then at some corners, I was sliding a bit strangely. I adapted, like on the lean angle, I was opening the gas very slowly! Finally, I did a very good job and step-by-step I got to Alvaro. I passed him at Turn 9 because I watched him every lap there and he was a bit slower. I said, ‘OK, now I need to pass’ because for me, it’s better that I ride alone at the front. I think my plan worked well but I was riding more than 100%!”
It’s been a weekend to celebrate regardless for the 26-year-old, as he took a 100th career podium in Race 1 with P2, before fending off his main title rival in a sensational final lap showdown in the Tissot Superpole Race. Then, taking advantage of Bautista’s swift early exit, ‘Stoprak’ made hay whilst the sun shone, with a 36th win of his career and Yamaha’s first full race victory at the circuit. It was also his 20th podium in 21 races, a new record for Razgatlioglu personally from races at the start of the season.
“I’m very happy that this year, finally, I’ve won! I waited for this moment, so thanks to my team who did an incredible job this weekend. Every session, we improved the bike but I am also sorry for Alvaro but this is racing, and you try and do your best. It’s the first time he’s crashed. After, I made a plan and didn’t want to risk. I followed Axel and in the last three laps I passed him and took a good pace. In general, I’m very happy this weekend! It’s the first time that Yamaha have won at Imola this weekend and I love this track too. It was very hot this weekend and congratulations to everyone because of this. I think it’s been a very good weekend as everybody’s watched real racing! The Championship is not over; I am riding like before, I’m focussing just on winning.”
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Source: WorldSBK.com