Aragon WorldSBK: Toprak Razgatlioglu hints at using 2021-spec R1 at Assen

WorldSBK champion Toprak Razgatlioglu has hinted at a return to last year’s R1-spec Yamaha after ‘a big drop’ with the front tyre cost him any chance of victory in Aragon.
Toprak Razgatlioglu, Aragon WorldSBK, 9 April
Toprak Razgatlioglu, Aragon WorldSBK, 9 April

Although last weekend was Razgatlioglu’s best start to a 𝓰WorldSBK season, aꦬnd his best results in Aragon, the Pata Yamaha rider was unable to challenge Alvaro Bautista and Jonathan Rea when it mattered most. 

Razgatlioglu took three consecutive third place finishes, and while he led all three races at 🐠different points, the Turkish star struggled massively with tyre degradation. 

"I think last𒁃 year we did not start so strong here🐼, because normally this is not a difficult track for Yamaha – but three podiums is better," said a content Razgatlioglu. 

"For me this is a good weekend, I try in the race to improve and I’m fighting with Johnny sometimes, but in the last laps my tyre🔜s had a big drop in grip and I am not able to fight again. 

"Third positi🤪on is not bad and I am again on the pod✱ium, so this is good."

Hard racing is hard racing, ‘I need the points!’

While all three races produced epic racing, the ten-lap Superpole was the most frantic as contact was made several times bet✃ween Rea, Razgatlioglu and Michael Rinaldi. 

Rinaldi came off worse in both of Sunday’s races and was particularly unhappy with the level of aggression shown by Rea and Razgatlioglu, however, in the world champion’s eyes it was a must to get passeಞd, no matter how it was done. 

Razgatlioglu added: "In the Superpole race I enjoyed the fight with Riౠnaldi and Jonathan a 🎶lot. In the last corner I need to pass Michael because I need the podium and the points! 

Toprak Razgatlioglu, Jonathan Rea and Michael Ruben Rinaldi, Aragon WorldSBK Superpole Race, 10 April
Toprak Razgatlioglu, Jonathan Rea and Michael Ruben Rinaldi, Aragon WorldSBK Superpole Race,…

"This is racing and we race a lot like this💜 toget🌺her in Superstock 600 in 2015! In the second race I saw him in second position pushing the tyre and seeing it start to drop, I say okay now I start to push – I was trying to look after the tyre because in the final laps there was a big drop in grip. 

"I passed Michael and tried to go for Johnny but it was not possible. But anyway, everybody tries their best and I try this weekend to fight for the podium – I am happy and also big thanks to my team because every session we are trying for a good set up for the race and finally we have impro꧙ved."

Regarding round two later this month, Assen is a venue that’s la💦rgely b༺een dominated by Rea. 

However, this w𒐪as also true about Portimao last seaso🐻n where Rea only won once. 

In his efforts to get the better of Rea and also Bautista who is the new championship leader followi🌳ng his double win, the Yamaha rider has hinted at a return to last year’s bike. 

"We’ll see at the next r🐟ace. Last year, Assen was not good for me. I think we can come back very strong and also, I think we will come back to the 202💖1 bike completely, as it will feel much better at Assen," added Razgatlioglu. 

Why a return to the old electronics after claiming this year’s were better? 

Toprak Razgatlioglu, Aragon WorldSBK, 08 April
Toprak Razgatlioglu, Aragon WorldSBK, 08 April

In pre-season t🙈esting Razgatlioglu claimed the Japanese manufacturer’s new electrꦓonics were a big step forward. 

But after having raced in Aragon, and already switching back to last year’s package, Razgatlioglu has since said the feeling with the older ones is better🍰. 

Razgatlioglu said: "We went back to the old e♛lectronics this weekend as I feel much better with the old one, the new one is good but, in some areas, I am feeling better with the old one. Maybe we will com⛦e back to old set-ups for Assen, but we will see."

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