Superbikes | Argentina round, Tissot-Superpole: Razgatlioglu returns to pole

The Motul Argentina Round offered a truly breathtaking Tissot Superpole: at the San Juan Villicum circuit, pole position went to Toprak Razgatlioglu (Pata Yamaha with Brixx WorldSBK), thanks to an exceptional record lap, with the top ten all doing better than the previous track record.

Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) is the first to set a time during the session while shortly after Toprak Razgatlioglu signs an excellent 1'36.687: the Turkish rider's is the first bike to lap in 1'36” in San Juan . Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) and Loris Baz (Bonovo Action BMW) follow Razgatlioglu in the provisional standings while Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) and Bautista are fourth and fifth respectively with seven minutes remaining in the session.

The Ducatis of Bautista and Michael Ruben Rinaldi (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) are the first to return to the track, followed by Xavi Fores (BARNI Spark Racing Team) while Rea once again finds himself with Scott Redding (BMW) behind Motorrad WorldSBK Team). Andrea Locatelli (Pata Yamaha with Brixx WorldSBK) is also chasing a good time. Bautista momentarily takes the lead but watch out for Rea, Razgatlioglu, Baz and Axel Bassani (Motocorsa Racing). Rea clocked an excellent 1'36.449.
Loris Baz falls in turn 2 on his last lap: the yellow flags are displayed but they do not damage Razgatlioglu as he had already passed through that point. The Turk is truly uncatchable and gives himself the pole he has been missing since Assen thanks to a 1'36.216: no one has ever lapped so fast in San Juan. Rea finished the session in second place ahead of Alvaro Bautista.

Fourth time for Iker Lecuona's Honda (Team HRC): a truly remarkable performance given that this is the Spaniard's first weekend in San Juan. Scott Redding finishes fifth: for the first time since Phillip Island 2020 and for the 22nd time in WorldSBK history we have five manufacturers in the top five positions. Sixth place for Baz's BMW.

Opening the third row will be Axel Bassani who at the end of the session leaves Rinaldi and Alex Lowes behind. Xavi Vierge (Team HRC) completes the top ten.

Disappointing 11th place for Andrea Locatelli who does better than Garrett Gerloff (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team). Fifth row for Lucas Mahias (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing), Michael van der Mark (BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) and Kohta Nozane (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team). Sixth row for Xavi Fores, Philipp Oettl (Team Goeleven) and Eugene Laverty (Bonovo Action BMW) who precedes the home idol Leandro Mercado (MIE Racing Honda Team), Oliver Konig (Orelac Racing VerdNatura), Max Scheib (MIE Racing Honda Team) and the wildcard Marco Solorza (TPR Team Pedercini Racing).

Below are the top ten at the end of the Superpole:

1. Toprak Razgatlioglu (Pata Yamaha with Brixx WorldSBK) 1'36.216
2. Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) +0.233
3. Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) +0.455
4. Iker Lecuona (Team HRC) +0.737
5. Scott Redding (BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) +0.758
6. Loris Baz (Bonovo Action BMW) +0.811
7. Axel Bassani
8. Michael Rubén Ronaldi (Aruba.it Racing-Ducati)
8. Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSbk)
10.Xavi Vierge (Team HRC)