Razgatlioglu ‘feeling very good’ after dominating Mandalika day one

Toprak Razgatlioglu thoroughly dominated day-one of WorldSBK action in Mandalika in what could be a history-making weekend for the Yamaha rider. 

Razgatlioglu goes into tomorrow’s race one with a chance at claiming the 2021 WorldSBK title, and should he take the championship will become the first ever Turkish premier class champion. 

While winning the title could conceivably happen during race one thanks to having a comfortable 30 point lead over Jonathan Rea, The Pata Yamaha rider will not clinch the title just by winning the race, instead he would need other results that are out of his control to go his way, therefore making it much more likely that the title is won on Sunday.

But whether Razgatlioglu wins the title on Saturday, Sunday or not at all should Rea make an astonishing, but unlikely comeback, the weekend couldn’t have started any better for Razgatlioglu as he dominated both practice sessions.

During dusty FP1 conditions, Razgatlioglu adapted to the new Mandalika circuit better than anyone to eventually finish 1.5 second clear of Alex Lowes. 

That margin was just under two tenths in FP2 as Rea managed to claw his way back towards the Yamaha rider, however, Razgatlioglu was still faster than anyone on the race runs. 

"Today we start very fast! Also, I’m feeling very good and I like this track, it is fun to ride," said Razgatlioglu. 

"I’m very happy for this last race of the year also because Indonesia is a Muslim country and the feeling is a little like home, I’m really happy for this! 

"Now, I’m feeling that we are ready to race, but we will see tomorrow, I will try again, I’m fighting again. 

"We will see, everybody is fast, everybody improves and they will also try their best, but tomorrow we only try to win."

Razgatlioglu’s team-mate Andrea Locatelli also enjoyed a good start after finishing P8 overall. The Italian was as high as second after being towed around by Razgatlioglu late on. 

Locatelli added: "In the end, it’s been like a normal Friday. The feeling is coming a little bit more in Free Practice 2, so it’s not so bad. 

"I need to understand what to do on the bike and where I need to improve on the track. For sure tomorrow we will make a step. 

"I hope it’s dry, we are ready and I’m sure if we can improve a little bit we can stay at the front. 

"I have more of an idea now, because I ride a little bit more in FP2 and understand where to improve, so tomorrow we will try to get the maximum."