The Tissot Superpole Race at the Circuito Estoril for the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship was once again decided on the last lap as Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) claimed victory, meaning he now has the longest winning career in WorldSBK, after an error from Toprak Razgatlioglu (Pata Yamaha with Brixx WorldSBK) on the final lap.

STARTING RACE 2 FROM THE FRONT ROW: the Superpole Race top three

Rea had made a move on Razgatlioglu on Lap 2 on the exit of Turn 13 before Razgatlioglu responded on Lap 7 of 10 and opening a gap of around eight tenths. However, a last-lap error at Turn 9 where Razgatlioglu lost the front of his bike, but saved it, allowing Rea through. Despite fighting back, Rea was able to hold on to victory ahead of Razgatlioglu to ensure he now has the longest winning WorldSBK career, lasting 12 years, 11 months and one day and exceeding Noriyuki Haga, as well as his 180^th podium with Kawasaki. Razgatlioglu’s wait for a win goes on in 2022 but he claimed his 60^th WorldSBK podium and Yamaha’s 360^th podium placement.

Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) was able to continue his streak of podium finishes in 2022, making it eight out of eight so far this season, with third place as he withstood an early challenge from Iker Lecuona (Team HRC). Lecuona took an alternative tyre strategy, using an intermediate front and slick rear, came home in fourth to start Race 2 from the second row.

JOINING LECUONA ON ROW TWO: finishing fifth and sixth

Andrea Locatelli (Pata Yamaha with Brixx WorldSBK), on slick tyres, was able to close in on Lecuona during the closing stages of the race but was unable to make the pass, finishing in fifth place. He will be joined on the second row by Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) after the British rider battled his way to sixth place during the 10-lap race.

ROW THREE FOR RACE 2: a dramatic battle for a third row start

The battle for the third row was a dramatic affair, with Scott Redding (BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) claiming seventh spot after battling but dropping back in the Superpole Race. He will be joined by his former teammate, Michael Ruben Rinaldi (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) on row three with Rinaldi also opting to use an intermediate front and rear slick. Last-minute stand-in Xavi Fores (Team Goeleven) claimed ninth spot as he battled his way up the order.

TO NOTE: incident-packed Superpole Race

At Turn 1 on the opening lap, Lucas Mahias’ (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) crashed out of the race, which forced Luca Bernardi (BARNI Spark Racing Time) to run wide and lose time and positions. Marvin Fritz (Motoxracing Yamaha WorldSBK Team) crashed out at Turn 6 while Xavi Vierge (Team HRC) crashed out at Turn 7; all on the opening lap. Both Bonovo Action BMW riders crashed out on subsequent laps, with Baz crashing out at Turn 13 on Lap 4 and Laverty at Turn 6 on Lap 5, both when running inside the top nine. Laverty was taken to the medical centre for a check-up following the crash.

The top nine following WorldSBK Tissot Superpole Race, full results here:

1. Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK)

2. Toprak Razgatlioglu (Pata Yamaha with Brixx WorldSBK) +0.174s

3. Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) +4.925s

4. Iker Lecuona (Team HRC) +7.050s

5. Andrea Locatelli (Pata Yamaha with Brixx WorldSBK) +8.240s

6. Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) + 8.864s

7. Scott Redding (BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) +10.293s

8. Michael Ruben Rinaldi (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) +29.516s

9. Xavi Fores (Team Goeleven) +29.541s

Fastest lap: Jonathan Rea – 1’36.801s

Watch Race 2 live and interrupted at 14:00 Local Time (GMT+1) using the WorldSBK VideoPass!