WorldSBK Round 11 Report | Bulega and Razgatlioglu excel

WorldSBK Round 11 Report | Bulega and Razgatlioglu excel | The title fight will go to the season finale at the Prometon Spanish Round this weekend at Jerez after Bulega and Razgatlioglu shared the spoils with one win apiece on Sunday at Estoril. Report: Ed Stratmann/WorldSBK Press

The closest finish in WorldSBK history!

Friday practice
WorldSBK

The weather played havoc with the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship field on Friday at the Circuito Estoril as rain in Free Practice 1 greeted the grid before a mixed-conditions Free Practice 2 limited running. The afternoon session for the Estoril Round started dry before rain started to fall around 20 minutes into it, with Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) the only rider in the 1’37s bracket as he secured P1 ahead of Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) and Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK).

WorldSSP

It was a dry start for The FIM Supersport World Championship’s Superpole session at the Circuito Estoril in Portugal on Friday afternoon, however, this was to be short-lived as a sudden downpour of rain disrupted the World Superport action.

Read our WorldSBK Round 10 report here…

Italian rider Yari Montella (Barni Spark Racing Team) took advantage of the dry spell during the early stages of the session, achieving a lap time of 1’41.318, three tenths ahead of Championship leader and close rival Adrián Huertas (Aruba.it Racing WorldSSP Team), with Stefano Manzi (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing) completing the front row of the grid ahead of Saturday’s Race 1.

Saturday
WorldSK

WorldSBK Race 1

The race action in The MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship got underway on Saturday afternoon, as 24 riders lined up on the grid for the 21-lap race. Despite a pole position start, Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) was unable to hold onto first at lights out, as Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) claimed the holeshot into Turn 1 ahead of Italian rider Andrea Locatelli (Pata Prometeon Yamaha). Toprak followed through in third position on the opening lap, but it was the Yamaha bikes that were strong from the outset as Jonathan Rea (Pata Prometeon Yamaha) overtook the title leader into third.

Locatelli demonstrated his early race pace as he took the lead from Petrucci on lap two, whilst further back, stablemates Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) and Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) battled for fifth. It was a four-way fight for the podium spots out in front as Locatelli, Petrucci, Razgatlioglu and Rea exchanged positions. Bulega frustratingly ran wide with 19 laps remaining, falling to eighth position, undoing his good work from earlier in the race.

With 17 laps left, Razgatlioglu made his move into first place ahead of the #55, whilst Bautista rode into third ahead of Petrucci and Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK). Bautista demonstrated some strong race pace, with spectators hoping a battle for first with the #54 may unfold, however the BMW rider responded to the pressure, managing to gap the field as the race progressed.

Meanwhile Ducati’s Bulega made his way back up through the pack, chasing Locatelli for a podium position. An early race crash for Australian Remy Gardner (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) resulted in him being declared unfit due to a left wrist fracture.

A crash at Turn 7, on Lap 7 for #9 Petrucci ended his streak of 12 races in the top five. There was more drama as four laps later Bautista low-sided on the entry to turn 9, meaning his Championship hopes were no more. His teammate, Bulega moved into second shortly before Locatelli took a fall out of his rostrum position with seven laps to go.

It was Razgatlioglu who stormed to victory at the Portuguese track, as Bulega held onto second, whilst an impressive ride from Iker Lecuona (Team HRC) put Honda back on the rostrum, achieving their first podium of the season, the first time since Mandalika last year. British rider Alex Lowes secured fourth place ahead of Jonathan Rea (Pata Prometeon Yamaha) and Garrett Gerloff (Bonovo Action BMW) who rounded off the top six.

“The race was really difficult. We didn’t know what the weather would do, it was a bit strange, and also, we used a different tyre. All riders used the soft tyre, I used the SC0 standard. My pace was very strong. At the beginning of the race, I was just waiting and watching. I’m not pushing immediately but started to build slowly. I did a good job and I’m very happy,” Razgatlioglu reflected.

WorldSBK Race 1 Results

Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team)
Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) +9.221s
Iker Lecuona (Team HRC) +11.020s
Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK +11.973s
Jonathan Rea (Pata Prometeon Yamaha) +14.018s

WorldSSP Race 1

18 laps of The FIM Supersport World Championship Race 1 unfolded at the Estoril Circuit in Portugal on Saturday afternoon, and dry weather greeted the paddock following a day of wet Free Practice Sessions on Friday. Yari Montella (Barni Spark Racing Team) was dominant from lights out, as he led Championship leader Adrian Huertas (Aruba.it Racing) and title rival Stefano Manzi (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing) into Turn 1. Early crashes for Spain’s Jorge Navarro (Orelac Racing VerdNatura) and #71 Tom Edwards on Lap 1 cut short their first race of the weekend.

Chasing down the front trio was Frenchman Valentin Debise (Evan Bros. WorldSSP Yamaha Team), with Lucas Mahias (GMT94 Yamaha) close on his tail. The paddock was unable to challenge the Italian #55, who displayed strong race pace throughout, and the other rostrum positions also remained uninterrupted with Huertas and Manzi riding comfortable races in second and third, with Montella’s victory securing Ducati a second consecutive Manufacturers’ Championship. Outside of the podium places, Debise and Mahias provided plenty of close racing action for the Portuguese spectators as they battled for fourth position.

The #53 Yamaha rider showcased some impressive late race pace during the closing stages at the Estoril circuit as he made a significant gain towards a podium spot. His speed proved too much, however, as he crashed at turn 1 with only four laps remaining. Despite returning to his bike and back into a points position, he once again ended up in the gravel with two laps to go and retired from the race. Ten Kate Racing celebrated Race 1 of the penultimate Championship weekend as they won the Teams’ Championship award, whilst Ducati claimed the all-important manufacturer’s championship, their second in a row.

With his Race 1 win and outstanding last lap record time of 1’40.266, Montella claimed his eighth win, equaling Sam Lowes at the 12th-all time spot. Standing on the second step of the rostrum, #99 Huertas achieved his 16th podium alongside title rival Manzi who also claimed his 16th podium position of 2024.

WorldSSP Race 1 Results

Yari Montella (Barni Spark Racing Team)
Adrián Huertas (Aruba.it Racing WorldSSP Team) +1.321s
Stefano Manzi (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing) +5.391s
Lucas Mahias (GMT94 Yamaha) +17.164s
Federico Caricasulo (Motozoo ME AIR Racing) +22.548s

Sunday
Superpole Race

The MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship delivered a thrilling 10-lap race at the Circuito Estoril on Sunday morning, as the riders took to the track under perfect racing conditions. Starting from pole position was Race 1 winner Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) who led the field from lights out, as Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) chased down the Turkish rider into Turn 1. Andrea Locatelli (Pata Prometeon Yamaha) and Jonathan Rea (Pata Prometeon Yamaha) battled behind for a top three position.

Championship contender Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) was outside of the front pack in the early stages of the Superpole Race, and at the front, spectators witnessed close racing between Razgatlioglu, Petrucci, Rea and Locatelli as they displayed an exciting battle for the lead. Fresh from Saturday’s Race 1 win, though, the #54 was determined to repeat his success, managing to gap his rivals and take a confident lead as the race began to settle.

With the Championship title at stake, 24-year-old Bulega increased his speed in an effort to catch the leading group. And with eight laps of race distance remaining, he overtook into second position, hunting down title rival Razgatlioglu whilst Yamaha’s Locatelli fought with Petrucci for a potential rostrum finish.

Despite a strong race start for Rea, he fell out of contention as he suffered a slow crash into Turn 10 with six laps remaining, making way for Xavi Vierge (Team HRC) and Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) to move up the rankings.

Finding some late momentum was Ducati rider Bautista, who moved into third ahead of Locatelli and #9 Petrucci as the Superpole Race entered the closing stages. Stablemate to the #1; Bulega, also found some impressive speed, managing to close the gap on Razgatlioglu as the WorldSBK riders entered into the final lap. The race was to be decided on the final straight to the chequered line, though, as Bulega entered the slipstream of #54, and stunned spectators as he claimed the win with just 0.003 seconds between the two. #11 also achieved a new race lap record of 1’36.178, as he shared the podium with Razgatiloglu for the seventh time this season. Bautista improved on his performance from Race 1, achieving his 17th podium of the year as he claimed third place, as Locatelli led Petrucci over the line.

Superpole Race Results

Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati)
Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) +0.003s
Álvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) +4.253s
Andrea Locatelli (Pata Prometeon Yamaha) +5.623s
Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) +7.161s

WorldSBK Race 2

The second race of the day for The MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship got underway on Sunday afternoon as the riders faced a 21-lap race at the 4-kilometre Estoril Circuit. Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) had a flying start to the race as he took the holeshot into the first corner ahead of Andrea Locatelli (Pata Prometeon Yamaha) and Superpole Race winner Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati). Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) had a poor start, falling to fifth position behind Yamaha rider Jonathan Rea (Pata Prometeon Yamaha).

Misfortune for British riders Tarran Mackenzie (PETRONAS MIE Racing Honda) and Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) struck during the opening stages of the Portuguese race, with both riders falling out of contention within the first four laps. But all eyes were on Championship leader, Razgatlioglu, who recovered back into a podium position on lap four, and once again proved his dominance as he displayed impressive overtakes to move into second and then first position ahead of Bautista on lap 7.

Stablemates Bulega and Bautista exchanged positions as the #54 increased his lead at two thirds race distance, but it was Bulega who eventually took the reins into second and led the pair as they hunted down the leading BMW rider. Further back in the field, Garrett Gerloff (Bonovo Action BMW Despite) was forced to retire from his race after facing mechanical issues.

Despite impressive form in their Estoril weekends, Race 2 ended in disappointment for riders Iker Lecuona (Team HRC) who crashed out of contention from fourth place, and Locatelli, who also ended his race in the gravel.

Out in front, an unstoppable Razgatlioglu wheelied across the finish line with an outstanding five-second lead, as Bulega led #1 Bautista to complete the Portugal rostrum. Jonathan Rea missed out on a podium spot in third, whilst an exciting race battle between Michael van der Mark (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) and Xavi Vierge (Team HRC) resulted in the riders taking fifth and sixth positions. The Barni Spark Racing Team had reason to celebrate as Danilo Petrucci won the Independent Riders’ title, crossing the line in seventh ahead of fellow Italian Andrea Iannone (Team GoEleven).

“I’m really happy today, especially with Race 2. The Superpole Race was a disaster because I had incredible race pace with the race tyre, but when I saw the chequered flag, I lost. I focused on Race 2 because I needed to win again, more points were available. It was a good win for the Championship,” Razgatlioglu said.

WorldSBK Race 2 Results

Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team)
Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) +3.866s
Álvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) +3.998s
Jonathan Rea (Pata Prometeon Yamaha) +12.005s
Michael van der Mark (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) +15.209s

Championship Points

Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) 473 points
Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) 427
Álvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) 356
Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) 291
Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) 285

WorldSSP Race 2

The FIM Supersport World Championship Race 2 concluded the racing weekend in Portugal on Sunday afternoon, and an unpredictable race unfolded at the Estoril Circuit perfect weather conditions set the stage for the 18-lap race. Yari Montella (Barni Spark Racing Team) was dominant from lights out, as he led into turn 1 ahead of title rival Stefano Manzi (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing) and the #94 bike of Lucas Mahias (GMT94 Yamaha). A surprisingly poor start from Championship leader Adrain Huertas (Aruba.it Racing WorldSSP Team) meant he fell back to fifth position.

Turn four witnessed an early race collision on the opening lap, as Thomas Booth-Amos (PTR Triumph) and Australian rider Oliver Bayliss (D34G Racing WorldSSP Team) crashed out of contention. Back at the front, the lead group was providing plenty of thrilling racing for the Portuguese spectators as Montella led fellow Italian Manzi in second, whilst Huertas gained momentum to catch Mahias in third position. The tension increased as the race continued to unfold in Estoril, and it was the #99 of Huertas who increased the pressure on his championship rivals as he moved into a podium position and hunted down the Ducati frontman.

It was a French battle further behind the lead group as Debise and Mahias jostled for fourth place and displayed plenty of skilled overtakes throughout the four-kilometre circuit. Responding to Manzi’s increase in pressure from P2, Montella attempted to create a larger gap back to the chasing group, but at turn 7 a crucial mistake saw the Italian crash out with just 8 laps remaining. This misstep put an end to his hopes of contending for the 2024 WorldSSP Championship.

With Manzi and Huertas taking the top two spots on the podium, Debise impressed with a third place in front of Lucas Mahias (GMT94 Yamaha) and Bo Bendsneyder (MV Agusta Reparto Corse).

WorldSSP Race 2 Results

Stefano Manzi (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing)
Adrián Huertas (Aruba.it Racing WorldSSP Team) +2.506s
Valentin Debise (Evan Bros. WorldSSP Yamaha Team) +4.103
Lucas Mahias (GMT94 Yamaha) +4.351s
Bo Bendsneyder (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) +7.670s

Championship Points

Adrián Huertas (Aruba.it Racing WorldSSP Team) 410 points
Stefano Manzi (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing) 365
Yari Montella (Barni Spark Racing Team) 354
Valentin Debise (Evan Bros. WorldSSP Yamaha Team) 218
Marcel Schroetter (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) 204

WorldWCR
WorldWCR Race 1

Race 1 of The FIM Women’s Circuit Racing World Championship provided some thrilling action for spectators at the Estoril Circuit in Portugal, as current Championship leader Ana Carrasco (Evan Bros Racing Yamaha Team) stepped on the top of the podium, ahead of her title rival Maria Herrera (Klint Forward Factory Team) in second and fellow Spaniard Beatriz Neila (Ampito / Pata Prometeon Yamaha) taking third place.

WorldWCR Race 1 Results

Ana Carrasco (Evan Bros Racing Yamaha Team)
María Herrera (Klint Forward Factory Team) +0.082s
Beatriz Neila (Ampito / Pata Prometeon Yamaha) +0.170s
Sara Sánchez (511 Terra&Vita Racing Team) +5.379s
Tayla Relph (TAYCO Motorsport) +5.458s

WorldWCR Race 2

The FIM Women’s Circuit Racing World Championship did not disappoint in Race 2, as the paddock took to the Circuito Estoril in Portugal on Sunday afternoon. It was an incredible first victory for Sara Sanchez (511 Terra&Vita Racing Team) as she rode to glory on the final straight, beating current Championship leader Ana Carrasco (Evan Bros Racing Yamaha Team) by just 0.032 seconds, whilst Maria Herrera (Klint Forward Factory Team) completed the rostrum, followed by a notably strong race from Beatriz Neila (Ampito / Pata Prometeon Yamaha) who took fourth.

WorldWCR Race 2 Results