Razgatlioglu blitzes Estoril lap record to claim P1 in FP3, four manufacturers in the top four
The Championship leader was a few tenths quicker than Bulega’s FP2 efforts as he set the fastest lap of the weekend so far
Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) set the pace on Saturday morning as the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship took to the Circuito Estoril for Free Practice 3. The BMW star was more than three tenths clear of his nearest rival in the final practice session for the EICMA Estoril Round, while title rival Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing - Ducati) was fifth; the #11 did improve on his Friday time.
Razgatlioglu was quickest out of the blocks to set an early 1’35.303s, comfortably the fastest time of the weekend and four tenths quicker than Bulega's FP2 effort. It was also faster than the all-time lap record by four hundredths of a second, before he improved to a 1’35.202s a lap later as he put in consistent and fast lap times in the 20-minute session. That left Razgatlioglu clear at the top and the initial nine-tenths gap to P2 did come down throughout FP3, with Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) claiming second place with a 1’35.560s and Remy Gardner (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) completing the top three, just 0.010s behind the #14.
Axel Bassani (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) was quick on Friday and continued that on Saturday with fourth in Free Practice 3 after posting a 1’35.588s as he ensured four different manufacturers were in the top four. Bulega secured fifth, four tenths down on the #1, with Andrea Iannone (Team Pata GoEleven) rounding out the top six; he was just 0.003s down on the #11 in P5.
Alex Lowes (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) ensured both Bimota KB998 Rimini machines were in the top seven as he lapped 0.454s down on Razgatlioglu, but just over half-a-tenth slower than his teammate in fourth. Andrea Locatelli (Pata Maxus Yamaha) was eighth ahead of Xavi Vierge (Honda HRC) and Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing - Ducati), with the two Spaniards rounding out the top ten.
The top six from WorldSBK FP3, full results here:
1. Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) 1’35.202s
2. Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) +0.358s
3. Remy Gardner (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) +0.368s
4. Axel Bassani (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) +0.386s
5. Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing - Ducati) +0.422s
6. Andrea Iannone (Team Pata Go Eleven) +0.425s
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