The 2021 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship paddock took to the Autodrom Most layout for the first time ever on Friday morning as the Tissot Czech Round kicked off with WorldSBK FP1. Following a delay due to weather in the local area, the WorldSBK session itself got underway on time at 10:30 but a delay to the morning programme sees rescheduling for WorldSSP300. Completing the session on top was Toprak Razgatlioglu (Pata Yamaha with BRIXX WorldSBK), as he hit first place in the final ten minutes, setting the fastest ever two-wheeled lap around the Autodrom Most layout.

Razgatlioglu fired in a flurry of fast times at the end of the first ever session at Most, as the Turkish rider enjoyed the Yamaha R1’s feeling at the Czech circuit by appearing in the top two of every sector’s ideal sector times. In second was Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK), who came on strong at the end of the session, whilst Scott Redding (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) got the session off to a bright start and held first place from the middle of the session until Toprak took over. The British rider gelled well with the track on Friday morning, finishing third and making it three manufacturers inside the top three. Two Yamahas inside the top four as wildcard Marvin Fritz (IXS-YART-Yamaha) shone brightly in the first session, even leading it at one point. Andrea Locatelli (Pata Yamaha with BRIXX WorldSBK) continued his strong form from Assen to complete the top five.

Championship leader Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) was sixth and put in a solid start to his weekend, whilst seventh was Tom Sykes (BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) and the 2013 WorldSBK Champion was fastest of the BMWs. Alvaro Bautista (Team HRC) flew the Honda flag in eighth place and was the fastest rider in a straight line during the opening session. Home-hero wildcard Karel Hanika (IXS-YART Yamaha) was ninth as the wildcard impressed, whilst Yamaha had five riders inside the top ten as Garrett Gerloff (GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) took tenth.

Outside the top ten, Michael van der Mark (BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) in 11^th and Michael Ruben Rinaldi (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) in 13^th. Jonas Folger (Bonovo MGM Racing) returned to action and was inside the top five as the session started before finishing 15^th. Chaz Davies (Team GoEleven) was only 17^th, Alessandro Delbianco’s (MIE Racing Honda Team) return saw him in 21^st, one place behind fellow returnee Christophe Ponsson (Gil Motor Sport – Yamaha) and Jayson Uribe’s (OUTDO TPR Team Pedercini Racing) WorldSBK debut saw the American finish in 23^rd.

Top six after FP1 at Most, full results here:

1. Toprak Razgatlioglu (Pata Yamaha with BRIXX WorldSBK) 1’33.022s
2. Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) +0.600s
3. Scott Redding (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) +0.641s
4. Marvin Fritz (IXS-YART Yamaha) +0.787s
5. Andrea Locatelli (Pata Yamaha with BRIXX WorldSBK) +0.839s
6. Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) +0.840s

Watch the rest of the action from Most and beyond with the WorldSBK VideoPass!