Razgatlioglu: “Forget about Alvaro”, beats Rea with final lap overtake

While victory in Catalunya was out of the question, 2021 WorldSBK champion Toprak Razgatlioglu ‘enjoyed’ Race 1 after battling with ‘legend’ Jonathan Rea.

Robert Jones

06 May 2023

Toprak Razgatlioglu, Yamaha World Superbike Catalunya 2023

Race 1 of the Catalunya WorldSBK round was another dominant showing from Alvaro Bautista, after the reigning world champion led every lap and won by over eight seconds.

However, Razgatlioglu and Rea were once again best of the rest as they fought until the final corner.

Rea had been ahead of Razgatlioglu for the entire race before the Yamaha rider finally got close enough to challenge the six-time champion into turn one.

Despite being out of shape on entry to turn one, Razgatlioglu managed to bring his R1 to the apex and hold off Rea for the remainder of the lap.

"In the race, I enjoyed it as we’re not riding on the limit to keep the rear tyre," said Razgatlioglu. "I am very happy to be riding with the legend, and this is good as we forget about Alvaro as he’s very strong at this track.

"I enjoyed it with Jonny and I was waiting until the last lap, but also I was on the limit on the last lap as the tyres had a big drop. I just tried to get the best position.

"I got ahead of Jonny on the last lap and tried to take the best line. I am happy with P2. I tried hard braking but with the strong winds, it wasn’t easy to get the bike to stop.

"The front tyre didn’t have good grip in the final lap, but I tried my best like in every race. We didn’t feel good at the start of the weekend, but I am happy now."

For Rea, Race 1 in Catalunya was one of his strongest performances of the season as tyre life was not an issue unlike previous rounds.

And while his ZX-10RR was ‘turning on a sixpence’ in qualifying when using the softer Pirelli tyre, Rea is hoping a step can be made with regards to stopping ahead of Sunday’s double-header.

Rea added: "It’s always difficult when you see ‘0.1 Toprak’ on the pit board! Not just one lap but every lap!

"In the beginning, I was happy behind Bassani and Rinaldi but as soon as they lost track position, I was on my own at the front and it’s difficult to understand a strategy race like that.

"When you’re at the front, I was trying to set a rhythm, pulling away from those behind but not pushing too hard to kill my tyre. Toprak came by on the final lap but I could turn inside him at Turn 3 and Turn 4.

"I have to thank the guys at KRT as we have good rear traction, we just need to improve in the stopping area in the latter stages with the front tyre. In Superpole, with the softer option front, the bike felt amazing and it was turning on a sixpence."