Toprak Razgatlioglu Wins Race 2 at WSBK Emilia-Romagna 2025

Can anyone halt Toprak Razgatlioglu’s reign on the track? The Turkish rider from the ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team delivered another masterclass at the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli during Race 2 of the WSBK Emilia-Romagna 2025 on Sunday, June 15, 2025, securing his third victory of the weekend. This stunning hattrick not only solidifies his lead in the championship but also sends a bold message to his rivals as the season progresses.

The race, marked by high drama including a crash at Turn 14 that triggered a red flag, provided the perfect stage for Razgatlioglu to showcase his unparalleled skill. With a performance that left competitors trailing, he cemented his status as a force to be reckoned with. What is the secret behind the relentless speed and consistency of the rider known as ‘El Turco’?

Starting from pole position after victories in the Superpole Race and Race 1, Toprak Razgatlioglu briefly dropped to fifth early in Race 2. However, the Turkish star quickly leveraged the power of his BMW M1000RR to reclaim the lead. By lap eight, he overtook Nicolo Bulega at Turn 8, steadily pulling away to cross the finish line with a commanding 2.980-second lead.

Razgatlioglu’s precision and composure in the sweltering 32-degree Celsius conditions at Misano highlighted his technical mastery and mental fortitude.

“I pushed extremely hard, especially on the final lap. I felt some chattering, but I stayed focused,” said Razgatlioglu, who now holds 64 career wins, surpassing Alvaro Bautista’s record.

Race 2 was not without its challenges. A crash at Turn 14 involving rider #27 Kaito Toba forced Race Direction to halt the race with a red flag. The final standings were determined based on the last checkpoint, confirming Razgatlioglu’s victory.

Nicolo Bulega, who led early, settled for second after losing ground to Razgatlioglu. Meanwhile, Alvaro Bautista fought back from 11th on the grid to claim third, overcoming a tense moment at Turn 4 when his front wheel lost grip. The red flag ensured the podium was set, but the incident underscored the race’s intensity.

This victory strengthens Razgatlioglu’s position at the top of the 2025 WSBK championship standings. With 258 points, he trails Nicolo Bulega by just 14 points, who holds 272 points. The Misano hattrick—comprising wins in Race 1, Superpole Race, and Race 2—positions Razgatlioglu as a serious contender for his second world title before his move to MotoGP in 2026.

For Bulega, a second-place finish on home soil was a solid result despite missing the top step.

“We were strong, but Toprak was incredibly fast. The goal is always the podium,” Bulega stated, eyeing a comeback in the next round. Bautista, now 24 points behind Razgatlioglu, acknowledged the need for setup improvements to close the gap to his rival.

Razgatlioglu’s dominance raises questions about the competitive landscape in WSBK. Despite Ducati’s theoretical advantage with the Panigale V4R in hot conditions, they couldn’t match BMW’s pace. Razgatlioglu’s earlier comments about Ducati’s straight-line speed in Australia hint at technical challenges his team must continue to address.

The recurring crashes, such as those involving Bulega and Axel Bassani in the Superpole Race, add tension among teams. Can Aruba.it Ducati find a way to counter Razgatlioglu’s momentum? Or will the Turkish rider maintain his iron grip on the championship until the season’s end?

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