WorldSBK: Another hat-trick at Misano!

Misano. History repeats itself. Last year, on his way to the World Championship title, Toprak Razgatlioglu (TUR) achieved his first hat-trick of the season at Misano (ITA). This weekend, the FIM Superbike World Championship (WorldSBK) returned to Misano, and ‘El Turco’ repeated the feat. In front of more than 76,000 spectators and under sweltering summer heat, he won all three races at the Adriatic coast on his BMW M 1000 RR from the ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team. As a result, he reduced his gap to championship leader Nicolò Bulega (ITA / Ducati) to just nine points. His teammate Michael van der Mark (NED) retired from race one, finished 12th in the Superpole Race on Sunday, and broke into the top ten with a 10th-place finish in race two. Misano hosted the sixth of twelve rounds this season. The championship continues from 11th to 13th July at Donington Park (GBR).

Reactions after the Misano round.

Sven Blusch, Head of BMW Motorrad Motorsport: “It was an incredible weekend for the whole team. We have shown in recent races how we have fought our way back. To achieve the hat-trick here at Misano, especially after all the commotion surrounding Toprak’s move to MotoGP, is just an amazing feeling for the team. We’re very proud of what everyone has achieved. It was an indescribable weekend for us. On Mickey’s side, it was a tough weekend. I think he showed in the final race with a top ten result that he can also get towards the front. We’ll definitely keep working on that. All in all, BMW as a brand had the perfect showing here – we are incredibly proud and heading to Donington with our heads held high. We’re back in the title fight, and with Toprak’s current momentum, anything is possible. We will give it everything.”

Christian Gonschor, Technical Director BMW Motorrad Motorsport: “The message sent this weekend is very clear: we have the best team here in the paddock, and we have the best team at the headquarters in Munich – this was an absolute team effort. Toprak delivered an outstanding performance, but to put the bike on top three times here at Misano – which is one of the most challenging tracks for us due to the thermal conditions and grip levels – and to set the fastest lap in each race is a complete team achievement. It showcases the strength of the BMW brand, the team, the rider, and the passion we all bring to the table. Unfortunately, the mechanics can’t refresh themselves with a well-deserved ice cream and cold drink just yet – they now have to completely strip down Toprak’s bike for a technical inspection. We’re looking ahead to the outcome with confidence and are already looking forward to Donington.”

Toprak Razgatlioglu, ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team: “First I would like to say thanks to my team because they did an incredible job the whole weekend. We could improve the bike every session, especially for race two it was really good. I still had a small issue in corner four but anyway, I could manage it in the race. I had a strong pace and was pushing so hard because even though Bulega started from tenth position, I knew he will be fast and will catch up. So I had to push straight from the start. All in all I’m really happy – we did three wins as last year. Now I’m looking forward to the next races. The wins here made me even more motivated and I can’t wait to go to Donington now.”

Michael van der Mark, ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team: “We’ve honestly struggled a lot this weekend. We’ve tried so many things with the bike, but it just never got any faster and I never got a good feeling, plus a couple of stupid crashes. Honestly, it was a big mess all in all. But of course, we’ve all tried as hard as we could, we never gave up but it was very difficult. Even race two, the feeling wasn’t there, but at least we’ve scored some good points. I’m not really happy with my weekend but I am really happy for everyone in the team who work non-stop. I’m looking forward to Donington now, we will be ready again.”

Facts and figures.

Superpole.

Air temperature: 28°, track temperature: 40°, humidity: 60%, conditions: dry.

* New all time lap record

Race 1.

Air temperature: 30°, track temperature: 47°, humidity: 49%, conditions: dry, laps: 21.

Fastest race lap: Toprak Razgatlioglu, lap 9, 1:33.201

Superpole Race.

Air temperature: 29°, track temperature: 42°, humidity: 60%, conditions: dry, laps: 10.

Fastest race lap: Toprak Razgatlioglu, lap 2, 1:32.813

Race 2.

Air temperature: 32°, track temperature: 48°, humidity: 54%, conditions: dry, laps: 21.

Fastest race lap: Toprak Razgatlioglu, lap 6, 1:33.471

Current riders’ classification (R06/12, after 18 of 36 races).

Current manufacturers’ classification (R06/12, after 18 of 36 races).