Toprak Wins a Drama Filled Superpole Race as Alvaro Bautista Crashes Out.

Toprak Razgatlioglu was on pole position for the Superpole Race with his Yamaha team-mate Andrea Locatelli in second place, championship leader Alvaro Bautista lined-up in third place. Remy Gardner and Eric Granado were declared fit to take part in today’s proceedings.

Toprak Razgatloglu got the holeshot into turn one, Alex Lowes, Danilo Petrucci and Loris Baz all collided at turn two, Petrucci was the only rider who managed to stay onboard his machinery.

Toprak was leading the way from Alvaro Bautista, Locatelli was in third place being hunted by Axel Bassani. On lap two Jonathan Rea slid off at turn two on what looked like being oil on the track, the Red Flag was brought out immediately.

The race was restarted at a shortened distance of eight laps. Both Kawasaki riders made it on the grid for the restart, as did BMW’s Loris Baz.

Bautista was the first rider into turn one, the Spaniard ran wide and handed the first place to Toprak. Rea was on the move in third place. Michael Ruben Rinaldi was being beat up in fifth place, Lowes and Baz had a coming together again, both riders stayed on but Baz was forced off track and had to pull in the pits, the French man had to be carried into the garage by his team!

It was the usual trio of Toprak, Bautista and Rea at the front with five laps to go. Rea tried to make a move on Bautista at turn 12, forcing both riders onto the dirty part of the track; resulting in Bautista crashing out of the race! Rea had a moment in the following corner, dropping to fourth place.

Lowes was now in third place just behind Locatelli, Toprak had over a second lead at the front of the field. Michael Van De Mark was the highest placed BMW in eighth place with his team-mate Scott Redding just behind him in ninth place.

Toprak crossed the line to take his first win of the 2023 season, Locatelli held off Lowes to take second place, Lowes finished in third place, Rea was fourth with Bassani in fifth.

Featured Images: WSBK.com