‘My style is never changing’ says Razgatlioglu after war of words with Rea

Following an incredible World Superbike Portimao race weekend, title contenders Toprak Razgatlioglu and Jonathan Rea have clashed over comments made by the Kawasaki rider.

Racing between the pair has been incredible throughout the year, whilst getting fiercer as each race weekend goes by. 

While Jerez saw contact on a couple of occasions, last weekend in Portimao was another level beyond that. 

Razgatlioglu and Rea made contact several times in race one, and while no rider crashed (thankfully), it’s become visible that the current state of the championship is starting to play a key role. 

This biggest contact was made on lap two when it appeared as though Rea would run wide at turn 13. This allowed Razgatlioglu to take a look at getting through on the inside, however, Rea cut back to the apex and found the Yamaha rider there, which caused the two riders to touch. 

Speaking after that a race, a race in which Rea made an unforced error by crashing out at turn 15: "I don’t want to put s**t on Toprak about how he rides, because he is clearly doing a good job and he’s not even at his limit. 

"However, the guy he’s passing is on their limit with the bike and tyres and the combination of everything. 

"I don’t want to complain too much; I’m ready to fight like that and I’m going to fight like that. I can shake his hand after that and not complain, but I’m happy to let the brakes off and use him as a berm. 

"I’m not going to grumble; rubbing is racing. He can train on his kart track in Turkey, but I grew up motocrossing, and that’s also hard."

These comments came as a slight surprise given Rea has always been a hard racer and not immune to contact himself.

Equally as surprised was Razgatlioglu, who responded by calling Rea ‘angry’ because of the championship situation. 

Razgatlioglu added: "Jonny was touching me in Navarra, but I didn’t talk. He’s started talking but this is good because it means he’s very angry for the championship. I don’t like talking because this is my style and it’s never changing. 

"Every race weekend, I’m fighting like this. I’m not scared, maybe he and Scott are. For me, no problem.

"Sometimes in the races we touch; it’s ok, this is racing. In race one we started a little bit hard but ok, this is normal because he’s trying to pass and I’m trying to pass. 

"Now he’s started talking; I’m really surprised now for Jonny. We know Redding, after every race, talks about this. This is good."