Toprak Razgatlioglu scored a crucial victory in the Superbike World Championship. It’s not just about the result itself, but the momentum it brings: the Turkish two-time champion overcame a determined Nicolò Bulega, adding five points to his lead and increasing the gap to 44 in the overall standings. The celebrations of both the rider and his team show how valuable this win is.
This marks Toprak’s first win in Aragon, his 13th consecutive victory this season, and the 19th overall in his career. On the other side, Ducati had to resign itself to Bulega’s determined challenge, as he fought until the very last meter. Sam Lowes, competitive in the first half of the race, finished on the podium, while Bautista retired after crashing six laps from the finish.
Starting from pole, Bulega immediately tried to challenge Razgatlioglu, but the Turk was already leading into the first corner. The long straight at MotorLand favored the Ducati, while the braking zones allowed Toprak to maximize his BMW’s potential. Despite this, the Italian didn’t give up, engaging in a fierce battle while Lowes and Petrucci tried to join the leading group.
Turn 1 braking was the highlight of the first part of the race, with continuous attacks and spectacular overtakes. Bautista, as his fuel ran low and his bike became lighter, tried to attack the Barni Panigale, but crashed, leaving the path clear for the leaders.
In the final laps, Razgatlioglu increased his pace and managed his lead, while Bulega continued to push, setting the fastest lap four laps from the end. Toprak defended his position expertly, achieving his 13th consecutive victory and triumphing on a track new to both riders. On Sunday, Bulega might have the last chance to close the gap in the championship.