Razgatlioglu claims championship lead with second Donington win

Toprak Razgatlioglu leads the World Superbike championship for the first time in his career after claiming victory in race two at Donington Park. 

It was the second victory of the weekend - both came in feature races, as the Pata Yamaha rider overhauled a 24 point deficit to Jonathan Rea. 

The two standout riders of 2021 were once again in a class of their own during this afternoon’s 24 lap race. 

Razgatlioglu came from sixth on the grid to lead after four laps, before Rea responded with 13 laps to go. However, a rare mistake from Rea on the following lap at turn eight gave Razgatlioglu the lead.

It’s fair to say weather conditions went the way of Razgatlioglu as he struggled in all prior wet sessions. But even though it was a completely dry race, it didn’t stop the Turk from having several front end moments in what he called an ‘important’ race for the championship, but one that ‘was not easy’. 

"Yeah, this morning for me, the Superpole race was not good. I tried my best, but sixth position finish with the intermediate tyres," he said. 

"But then I say ‘I hope for dry condition in race two’, because for me it was important race two because I need good points for the championship. 

"In the race; for me was not easy because every lap I’m pushing for the win. I followed Johnny [Rea] because the race track grip was not like yesterday and three times I lose the front tyre. 

"So okay, I follow Johnny, but he made a big mistake and he crashed. After that I just try for consistent lap times in the race. I’m really happy!"