Donington WorldSBK: Razgatlioglu storms to victory after ‘one chance’ race

Toprak Razgatlioglu takes his second WorldSBK win of the season at Donington Park, after dry conditions come through in the nick of time.
Toprak Razgatlioglu, Donington Park WorldSBK Race 1 2021
Toprak Razgatlioglu, Donington Park WorldSBK Race 1 2021
© Gold and Goose

Toprak Razgatlioglu looked on course for a difficult WoꦅrldSBK race one in Donington Park before a dry line 🌊saved the day. 

The Yamaha rider struggled throughout FP3 and qualifying in the wet, but with track conditions improvꦡing just before the race began, Razgatlioglu took full advantage of a dry racing line to claim a sensational win from the fifth row. 

Razgatlioglu started 13th but was up to second after just one lap. That quickly became first as he went through on main championship🍃 rival Jonathan Rea.&🍌nbsp;

This wasn’t the first time that Razgatlioglu came from outs꧙ide the top ten to take victory - Magny Cours, France, in 2019. Razgatlioglu cam𓂃e from 17th that day to win. 

The Turkish star recounted back to that moment when speaking after the race. "Last time in 2019! France race; 17th start and first finish, win 🦩I mean. But this one is the second one from 13th start, it’s not bad," said Razgatlioglu. 

"Today for me was not a good start because the wet conditions I’m not fast. I said ‘okay, it’s raining and I just ride, I try for a goo🎃d position for the championship’, but then I see the dry line; I think all riders put the slick tyre, but I have just one chance. 

"I need good position for the championship. The firsജt lap I see that I’m second and aﷺfter that I say, ‘this is my race’ and I push all the laps. 

"Sometimes I made mistakes and was close to cras𓂃h, but anyway, I’m really happy and agai🉐n a win." 

Before today, Razgatlioglu’s best finish at Donington was three secon🌸d places which was a result not in the 24 ye♕ar-old’s mind today.

"Also, 2018 and 19, two raceಌs where I’m second he🌠re. But this season I say, ‘I need win’ because I never win this track with Superbike," added Razgatlioglu. 

"Very important to take the p꧙oints for the championship, now it’s 15 points (from Re🌼a), but the season is very long."

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