There were huge implications on the title race in the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship during Race 1 of the Motul Argentinean Round at the Circuito San Juan Villicum as one of the Championship contenders crashed out on the opening lap. Toprak Razgatlioglu (Pata Yamaha with Brixx WorldSBK) went sliding off the track and into the gravel on the opening lap as his title changes took a massive blow, with the reigning Champion now 80 points behind Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati).

Razgatlioglu got away well enough to hold the lead into Turn 1 but a charging Bautista came past him on the one-kilometre-long back straight to take the lead. Razgatlioglu tried to respond immediately through Turns 8 and 9 but lost the front of his Yamaha YZF R1 machine and went sliding into the gravel, dropping the reigning Champion down to last place after the opening lap.

The Turkish star was able to put up a fightback as he battled his way through the field, reminiscent of Race 1 at Magny-Cours after he had an early crash, to take a single point after finishing in 15^th place. Razgatlioglu made a move for the final points-paying position on the last lap of the race against Loris Baz (Bonovo Action BMW). It meant, with Bautista winning and claiming 25 points, Razgatlioglu lost 24 to the Championship leader.

Explaining the crash, Razgatlioglu said: “It was a big mistake for me. After two years, I think this is normal. The one time I make a mistake in the race. I’m very angry for this because it was the first lap. I tried to pass Bautista because he had a big advantage on the straight. For me, the race was very fast to the finish. I tried to come back again. The handlebar was not on the correct line. I take one point and it’s better than nothing. For me, it wasn’t a good day.”

The results of Race 1 leave Razgatlioglu trailing Bautista by 80 points with 161 points available across the Tissot Superpole Race and Race 2 in Argentina as well as WorldSBK’s visits to Indonesia and Australia to end the season. It means Bautista can finish fourth in every race and win the title even if Razgatlioglu wins all the remaining races; finishing fourth in every race would give Bautista 83 points, meaning Razgatlioglu would gain 78 on him. Razgatlioglu will also have one eye over his shoulder as six-time Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) now sits only seven points behind his rival.

Discussing the title fight, Razgatlioglu added: “We know that Bautista is very strong this weekend, and also in Australia. In Mandalika, I think he won’t have a big advantage because no long straights. Tomorrow, I will try again and fight for the win. I’m not thinking about the Championship because, for me, everything is finished. I’m just focussed race by race and I try for more wins this season.”

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