Laying down the gauntlet with a late charge to take control, the 2021 World Champion fended off the charge from the home-team behind
Toprak Razgatlioglu (Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK) may have made headlines off-track in the build-up to the Pirelli Emilia-Romagna Round at the Misano World Circuit “Marco Simoncelli”, but he likewise made them on-track after FP1 at the Italian venue. A stone’s throw from the picturesque Adriatic Sea, Razgatlioglu was riding a wave of confidence in FP1 as he secured top spot on the opening day of action for round five of the 2023 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship.
Razgatlioglu was in mighty form and the 2021 World Champion was close behind long-time session leader Michael Ruben Rinaldi (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) for the majority of the session. Toprak was one of the strongest riders in the test and his race pace was very strong, along with his one-lap strength. He leapt up the order on his penultimate flying lap, whilst second in FP1 at home, Rinaldi’s pace was strong from the start. He’s eager to continue his podium pace from Barcelona, whilst after a hat-trick last time out, teammate Alvaro Bautista completed the top three.
Dominique Aegerter (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) was fourth, one place ahead of Andrea Locatelli (Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK), who had his sights on the top five this weekend.
Top Kawasaki honours went to Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK), whilst it was a strong performance for Garrett Gerloff (Bonovo Action BMW), who was top BMW in seventh and the fastest rider in sector one. Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) was eighth after the first session as he got back up to speed at Misano, one place ahead of Xavi Vierge (Team HRC). His teammate, Iker Lecuona, completed the top ten. Setting an identical time in P11 and P12, Scott Redding (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) and substitute teammate Tom Sykes respectively.
