Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) fended off Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing - Ducati) to claim pole position at Donington Park in the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship as ‘El Turco’ matched Carl Fogarty’s tally of poles. Just over a tenth separated the two title contenders as they prepare for their Donington battle, while Alex Lowes (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) claimed third in the Tissot Superpole session for the Prosecco DOC UK Round.

THE FIRST RUN: Alex Lowes pips Razgatlioglu

Alex Lowes (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) claimed provisional pole after the first flying lap with a 1’25.185s, just 0.008s clear of Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) in second with Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing - Ducati) completing the provisional front row. Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) was one of a few riders who improved on a second lap in the first stint as he slotted into fourth place.

RAZGATLIOGLU JUMPS TO P1: ‘El Turco’ snatches pole from Bulega

When the second stint got underway, Bulega became the first rider to hit the 1’24s barrier as he jumped provisionally into first with a 1’24.946s, although lost time in Sector 3 which gave Razgatlioglu an opportunity to usurp him – one he grabbed with both hands; setting a 1’24.827s to claim a second consecutive Donington pole position. It was his 21^st WorldSBK pole, putting him level with Carl Fogarty in fifth place in the all-time list. The fight for P3 was between Alex Lowes and Jonathan Rea (Pata Maxus Yamaha), with the #22 beating his former teammate by three tenths to secure a third-row start.

SEASON-BEST FOR REA: second row start for the #65

Despite missing out on the front row, Rea secured P4 for his best dry-weather Superpole Result since joining Yamaha and the fast-starting #65 will feel he could be in the mix for the podium fight when lights go out. Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) will start from fifth place after setting a 1’25.347s to secure the middle of the second row, ahead of Andrea Locatelli (Pata Maxus Yamaha) who completed the top six.

VICKERS ON THE THIRD ROW: best Superpole result for the #17

Ryan Vickers (Motocorsa Racing) took his best Superpole result in WorldSBK as he claimed P7 with a 1’25.533s, although the #17 will feel he was unlucky not to take a second row starting position – he was just 0.001s slower than Locatelli in P6. The remainder of the third row is taken by Barni Spark Racing Team duo Yari Montella and Danilo Petrucci in eighth and ninth respectively, with two-time Champion Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing - Ducati) 10^th.

The top six from WorldSBK Superpole, full results here:

1. Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) 1’24.827s
2. Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing - Ducati) +0.119s
3. Alex Lowes (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) +0.147s
4. Jonathan Rea (Pata Maxus Yamaha) +0.428s
5. Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) +0.520s
6. Andrea Locatelli (Pata Maxus Yamaha) +0.705s

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