Toprak Razgatlioglu converts pole position into victory in the first race in Misano! After Remy Gardner took the lead early on, the BMW star quickly regained the lead. The Ducati riders Nicolo Bulega and Alvaro Bautista then launched an attack on Razgatlioglu, but he was able to successfully fend it off. Bulega finished second ahead of Bautista. Andrea Locatelli crossed the line in fourth place ahead of Alex Lowes, Andrea Iannone and Michael van der Mark. Danilo Petrucci and Iker Lecuona complete the top 10.
Jonathan Rea caused a moment of shock. The Yamaha rider crashed in the fast turn 13 and rolled over several times into the gravel trap. He was then taken to the medical center for further examinations.
Toprak Razgatlioglu has now taken the lead in the drivers’ standings. After the first race in Misano, he is now three points ahead of Alvaro Bautista. Nicolo Bulega is in third place, 13 points behind.
WorldSBK in Misano – the race film
Starting line-up:1. Razgatlioglu, 2. Bulega, 3. Gardner, 4. A. Lowes, 5. Bautista, 6. Locatelli, 7. Iannone, 8. S. Lowes, 9. Aegerter, 10. Rabat, 11. Bassani, 12. Petrucci, 13. Gerloff, 14. Lecuona, 15. Rea, 16. Van der Mark, 17. Vierge, 18. Rinaldi, 19. Pirro, 20. Redding, 21. Mackenzie, 22. Oettl, 23. NOrrodin
Begin: Remy Gardner wins the start and storms to the lead before turn one! Toprak Razgatlioglu is now second, Alvaro Bautista is in third place ahead of Nicolo Bulega. Xavi Vierge crashes over his front wheel in turn three.
2nd round: Gardner puts pressure on the front and pulls away slightly. Jonathan Rea crashes in the fast turn 13. Nicolo Bulega falls back to sixth position. Andrea Locatelli and Alex Lowes have overtaken him.
3rd round: Razgatlioglu now increases the pace and shakes off Bautista. He has now closed the gap to Gardner.
4th round: A Ducati duel between Bautista and Bulega now develops in P3. In turn eight, Razgatlioglu attacks and takes the lead!
5th round: Gardner can no longer keep up with Razgatlioglu’s pace. The two Ducatis are hanging on his tail.
6th round: Bautista attacks in turn ten. The world champion is now second. Bulega follows just one corner later in the fast turn 11. The gap to Razgatlioglu is more than a second.
8th round: Bulega overtakes his teammate in turn four. He has already set the fastest lap. Razgatlioglu is more than two seconds ahead. A Yamaha duel for P4 now develops between Gardner and Locatelli.
11th round:Bulega is now serious and has already reduced the gap to 1.8 seconds. Locatelli passes Gardner and is now fourth. Alex Lowes is now on Gardner’s tail. The Kawasaki driver brakes his way past in turn eight.
12th round: Domi Aegerter is out with engine failure on his Yamaha.
13th round: The field has calmed down a bit at the front. Razgatlioglu controls the gap to Bulega and Bautista. Jonathan Rea was taken to the medical center for checks after his fall.
15th round: Sam Lowes crashes over his front wheel in turn 14. But he is able to resume the race.
18th round: Lecuona brakes past Bassani and they come into contact. Lecuona is now in the top 10. At the front, Razgatlioglu still has everything under control.
19th round: Alex Lowes starts a final attack for P4, he is half a second behind Andrea Locatelli.
Finish line: Toprak Razgatlioglu wins! The BMW rider secures the victory and leaves the Ducati riders Nicolo Bulega and Alvaro Bautista no chance. Andrea Locatelli defends fourth place against Alex Lowes.