DID YOU MISS IT? Razgatlioglu and Bulega scrap it out at Estoril as the title fight goes to Jerez
The top two in the Championship enjoyed more battles in Portugal, while a Champion was crowned in WorldSSP
The MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship paddock headed to the Circuito Estoril for the penultimate round of the 2025 season, with titles on the line in all three classes. The EICMA Estoril Round hosted all the action as Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) and Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing - Ducati) battled it out for top honours across the weekend’s three races, while there were epic battles in both WorldSSP and WorldSSP300.
FRIDAY’S ACTION: Razgatlioglu vs Bulega begins as grids decided in WorldSSP and WorldSSP300
Friday’s action featured two practice sessions for WorldSBK, and Razgatlioglu and Bulega shared the honours. ‘El Turco’ spent most of FP2 focusing on race pace, putting in some sensational times, but it was ‘Bulegas’ who was fastest overall. In WorldSSP, there was a surprise as Championship leader Stefano Manzi (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing) could only manage 13th on the grid while, in WorldSSP300, it was as competitive as ever as Matteo Vannucci (PATA AG Motorsport Italia WorldSSP300) claimed pole.
RACING GETS UNDERWAY: Razgatlioglu fights back for Race 1 victory
In Race 1, after the red flag stoppage following the pile-up at Turn 1, Razgatlioglu had to fight his way through to P1 after losing ground at the start as he went on to claim victory ahead of title rival Bulega. In the first start, Axel Bassani (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) lost the front of his machine before riders fell trying to avoid him. Thankfully, all were okay and able to take the restart. In WorldSSP, Manzi battled from 13th up to P2, but Can Oncu (Yamaha BLU CRU Evan Bros Team) finishing third denied the #62 the title. In WorldSSP300, Vannucci made it two wins in two rounds as he won by more than three tenths ahead of Carter Thompson (MTM Kawasaki).
SUNDAY’S ACTION: Honours shared as title fight goes to Jerez
In the Tissot Superpole Race, it was Razgatlioglu who again came out on top, while Bulega took top honours in Race 2, ensuring the title fight would go to a season finale at Jerez. Of course, ‘El Turco’ is still in pole position to clinch this year’s crown with a 39-point lead over his Ducati rival; and can win it in Race 1 at Jerez if he finishes the race 37 points clear. In WorldSSP, Manzi’s wait to be this year’s Champion ended after victory in Race 2, while the WorldSSP300 field had a very close finish – 0.041s separating the top four.
NEXT UP… JEREZ: Three titles to be decided in Spain
WorldSBK rolls around to the south of Spain this weekend for the Pirelli Spanish Round, and three Riders’ Championships are still to be decided. It’s Razgatlioglu vs Bulega in WorldSBK and four riders are in mathematical contention in WorldSSP300: Benat Fernandez (Team#109 Retro Traffic Kove), Carter Thompson (MTM Kawasaki), David Salvador (Team ProDina XCI) and Vannucci. WorldWCR returns for its season finale, with just six points separating Maria Herrera (Klint Forward Racing Team) and Beatriz Neila (Ampito Crescent Yamaha).
DON’T MISS OUT: Get your tickets for an epic final round of the 2025 season at Jerez HERE.
