Front fender failure costs Razgatlioglu potential race two win

In what could very well end up being a championship defining weekend for both Toprak Razgatlioglu and Jonathan Rea, Razgatlioglu was struck by yet more bad luck after a front fender broke and caused him to crash in World Superbike race two. 

While Razgatlioglu increased his title advantage from 19 to 24 points come the end of the Portuguese round, the 24 year-old’s lead was up to 49 points during the race. 

The Yamaha rider looked set to battle Rea for the win, before a second mechanical problem in just three rounds saw the Turkish rider crash on the approach to turn 15.

Whether it was Catalunya in the wet or Sunday in Portimao, Razgatlioglu looked set for P2 at worst before the problems arose. 

"In the rain (Superpole race), after I see Jonny crash again, I close gas and just finish to focus on Race two, because my feeling was not so good compared to Barcelona wet race," said Razgatlioglu following the day’s action.  

"Race two was just bad luck for me, because something on my front fender was broken and after it entered the front tyre, and then front sliding, this is very bad luck! I say ‘why not possible to be broken on the straight, when it gives no problem?’ ‘Why broken on the last corner!’ 

"But this is life, this is racing. I’m not happy because I was fighting for the win, but I crash and it was not my mistake. 

"I am not looking back at this, I am only looking to focus on the next race. Every race weekend it is still changing in the championship. 

"I am focused on the Argentina race now, and I am fighting again for the win – if I win, I take the points but I am still not looking."