The 2024 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship title race will head to the Circuito Estoril in two weeks. Toprak Razgatlioglu’s (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) can be crowned Champion for a second time in Portugal if he leaves 62 or more points clear of his rivals Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) and Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati).
INCREDIBLE SHOWDOWN: Aragon delivers top class racing
#1 Ducati rider, Alvaro Bautista stormed back to the top spot after a thrilling last lap dual between his Championship contenders in Aragon in the Superpole Race. Bautista came out on top after a sensational Turn 15 pass on ‘El Turco’, achieving his 62nd win, and an incredible 99 wins for Spain.
Discussing his Superpole Race win, the Spaniard said: “I was really happy with the feeling. Yesterday I had some problem with the front so I wasn’t able to push to the limit but today everything was normal so I was able to push. In the Superpole race, it was really fast, I was on the limit trying to follow Toprak and Nicolo. Nicolo looked strong and so I said okay, maybe he can fight for the win so I stayed behind in third.”
“IF I WANT TO WIN, I HAVE TO PASS NICOLO AND TOPRAK…”
The 39-year-old rider continued: “But then in the last three laps I passed Toprak and saw Nicolo looked like he was missing something, like he had some difficulties so I said if I want to win, I have to pass Nicolo and Toprak. So, with 2 laps to go I passed Nicolo and in the last lap I tried to close in on Toprak and in the back straight I knew that was the only chance I had because the BMW is faster on the straight than Ducati here so it would be impossible to pass him there, so I pass him before the straight and it worked and I could keep the good position and I just closed the door. I was really happy because it was a really fine victory.”
RACE 2 BATTLES: “The pace was amazing…”
The #1 rider secured a double win on Sunday, taking the win in Race 2, ahead of Toprak and Bulega who completed the podium. Responding to comments on the impressive Race 2 pace at the Spanish Circuit, Alvaro said: “The pace was amazing, it was incredible as well because the pace especially after mid race was amazing, was similar to the Superpole race or even better. I had a good start, had a good rhythm. In the first few laps I struggled a lot with the full tank, with the weight so I was just letting the laps pass and then lap by lap i start to get a better feel of the bike, I can make better lines, I can force more with the bike and lap by lap I feel better and I kept pushing more and more. I had to concentrate because I was pushing to the limit. I was enjoying riding to the limit and I’m really happy for the victory and the feeling I have.”
DUCATI ORDERS: “There was nothing before this weekend…”
Describing questions regarding team orders in the Ducati garage, Alvaro said: “Before this weekend, there was nothing about team orders. But because Toprak races this weekend, we spoke about this, to at least not be between Toprak and Nicolo for Ducati to score points. This morning, yesterday was really unlucky for Nicolo and he lost a lot. This morning, I did that move to Nicolo because I show that he cannot fight against Toprak so in that moment I said okay all week was perfect and you are not going to be in between both so I try to win 3 points and more than 2 points for Nicolo and in the afternoon i was just pushing and said four points is better than five.”
“But I don’t know for the next round. My target is just to keep my confidence with the bike. Yeah, it would be nice to restart the championship now I am back to fitness but this is the situation. We had bad moments, But I learnt a lot and that’s the important thing, we do positive things with the bad moment and we are more prepared. No expectations for next track, just go there try to enjoy, have the same feeling I had with bike today and this weekend and try to have fun.”
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Source: WorldSBK.com