World Superbike Portimao, Portugal - Race Results (2)

After two surprising crashes, Jonathan Rea has bounced back in Portimao to claim a World Superbike race two victory, while Toprak Razgatlioglu crashes out following a mechanical problem. 

There was a bizarre moment at the conclusion of the warm-up lap, and one that could have been very dangerous as the start lights failed to activate properly. 

The race was therefore delayed before a revised 19 lap race was announced. 

It was a shocking start for both Michael Van Der Mark and Loris Baz from the front row, while Toprak Razgatlioglu and Jonathan Rea were third and fifth after turn one. 

Rea, who crashed in the previous two races then got past Razgatgliou and Andrea Locatelli in what was a stunning opening lap for the six-time champion.

Rea then took the lead from Scott Redding on lap two, however, Redding and Razgatlioglu slipstreamed their way back past. 

Redding, who was back in the lead, made two small mistakes on lap four which allowed Rea and Razgatlioglu back through. 

Razgatlioglu set a new fastest lap on lap six before taking over the lead in turn one. However, the Yamaha rider left the door wide open heading into turn 11 which was enough for Rea to pounce. 

Rea began to edge clear on lap eight after setting a new fastest lap, while Redding attempted to take second from Razgatlioglu.

The Ducati rider got alongside Razgatlioglu into turn one, but ran slightly wide which gave the championship leader the chance to cut back underneath him.

Rea’s lead then shortened once again on laps nine and ten, but… then came even more drama as Razgatlioglu had a mechanical failure heading into the final corner which caused the Turkish rider to crash out. 

Razgatlioglu’s crash helped Rea create a 1.3 second gap to Redding, which then became two seconds as he pulled clear.

For the remaining place on the podium, Locatelli came under intense pressure from Baz and Alvaro Bautista, before both riders got ahead of him on the start-finish straight.

Rea and Redding finished 1-2, however, there was drama in the battle between Baz and Bautista. 

The Honda rider got ahead of Baz after a small mistake on the penultimate lap, but the French rider attempted to respond by going for the inside at turn five, a gap that was not there which led to Baz hitting and knocking Bautista down.