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Razgatlioglu after testing swingarm: "We are improving every day… need to have a good setup for good grip"

Friday, 3 February 2023 09:14 GMT

    • The 2021 Champion was looking to improve rear grip on his Yamaha YZF R1 machine as he looks to re-claim the title

    Day 2 at the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve was a record-breaking affair for the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship as four riders lapped faster than the existing lap record, including 2021 Champion Toprak Razgatlioglu (Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK). Razgatlioglu finished the day in fourth place, four tenths down on reigning Champion Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) and three tenths away from Bautista’s Ducati teammate, Michael Ruben Rinaldi, in third place.

    Bautista, Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK), Rinaldi and Razgatlioglu were all faster than Rea’s Tissot Superpole record from 2022. Razgatlioglu’s best time was a 1’39.441s which is around two tenths faster than the Superpole record set in last year’s Portuguese Round by Rea, who secured pole position with a 1’39.610s, while Bautista’s fastest time of testing was a 1’39.035s as he topped the timesheets with a Panigale V4 R.

    Discussing the rapid pace, Razgatlioglu said: “I think, I hope, in the next test here I will try to do a 1’38s! On Day 1, I wasn’t able to use the SCQ tyre and the SCX tyre I don’t know. I finished early. On Day 2, I just did one lap time with the SCX tyre, this lap time, and after I’m not pushing for lap time; just working. Next time, I will try to do a 1’38s.”

    At both the test in Portugal and at the Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto the week before, Razgatlioglu and Yamaha’s focus has been on the rear of the bike as they search to make improvements with rear grip including on acceleration on the exit of the corner. Part of the testing programme for Razgatlioglu included a new swingarm on his Yamaha YZF R1 machine as well as working on different setups.

    Revealing his testing programme, the 2021 Champion said: “The second day for me was better because, on Day 1, we used just the new swingarm. Also, on Day 2, I used a different setup and again we were working on the new swingarm because this swingarm is new, we need to have a good setup for good grip. Anyway, I did a good lap time with the SCX tyre. It wasn’t possible for me to use the SCQ tyre because in the afternoon it was very cold. I’m very happy because we are improving every day.”

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