Razgatlioglu tops tightly contested Aragon WorldSBK test from Gerloff

Reigning WorldSBK champion Toprak Razgatlioglu laid down yet another marker ahead of the 2022 season by topping a private Aragon test for Yamaha. 

Razgatlioglu was part of a five-rider-strong line-up, with just Isaac Vinales the lone Yamaha rider not taking part.

Initially set out as a two-day test, Razgatlioglu and Locatelli completed their entire testing program in just over one day due to uncertain weather surrounding the Teruel-based venue. 

Unlike at Portimao three weeks ago, Razgatlioglu was unable to set a new unofficial lap record after finishing 1.3 seconds down on Jonathan Rea’s pole time from 2021, however, a time of 1:49.746s was enough to put the potential 2023 MotoGP rider fastest by -0.074s. 

Speaking after Thursday’s running, Razgatlioglu added: "We had a great test in Aragon, I am surprised! Yesterday we had sun then some rain, not so many laps, but today we are very lucky with perfect weather all day. 

"This is maybe not my best track but we were very fast and consistent, so for this I am happy! 

"Today my feeling was like a test rider, so many things to try, but also we are fast and I enjoyed it! Yamaha and the team are working a lot, we made a big improvement compared to ‘21... a 1’49 with SC0 tyre is not so bad! 

"Maybe now Aragon is coming a better track for me! Next test is Catalunya, we will put together the best package from the testing parts and electronics and try again to improve."

As stated by the 25 year-old, Razgatlioglu worked extensively on the bike’s new electronics, while acceleration out of corners was another big area of focus. 

This was a similar case for Andrea Locatelli who was able to get much closer to Razgatlioglu compared to the recent Portimao outing. 

The former WorldSSP champion (2020) was just under five tenths shy of his world champion team-mate come the end of Thursday. 

"We are very happy because we did a lot of laps and we also had good grip here at Aragón," said Locatelli. 

"The feeling is coming back better now after Portimão. Today we worked around the set-up of the bike and now the feeling is really good. 

"Now, we will continue the development before we arrive to the Barcelona test. I’m also happy because I’ve not been able to ride as much as I did today at this track. 

"The team did a great job and we made no mistakes. Now we look forward to the next one, my level is improving and so is the R1."