Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) smashed the all-time lap record on the way to top spot in FP3 at the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve. ‘El Turco’ posted a remarkable 1’39.446s to claim P1 ahead of his rivals as Saturday’s MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship kicked off with a 20-minute practice session. Razgatlioglu was three tenths clear of his rivals, with Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) taking second and two-time Champion Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing - Ducati) in third.

Razgatlioglu had been languishing in the lower end of the top ten during FP3, but he put in an all-time lap record with just under three minutes to go in the session. He set a 1’39.446s to take the record away from Jonathan Rea (Pata Maxus Yamaha) and claim the top spot in FP3 by three tenths over Petrucci, who was also able to set a 1’39. He posted a 1’39.802s to move into P2 in the final minute of FP3. Bautista moved into third place right at the end of the session as he set a 1’40.001s to demote Alex Lowes (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team).

The #22 had been in P1 throughout the first half of the session but was usurped by the riders in first, second and third as the clock ticked down. Nevertheless, he was able to finish in fourth with a 1’40.081s, finishing around 0.040s clear of twin brother Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) in P5, after he set a 1’40.122s. Michael van der Mark (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) completed the top six, almost a second down on teammate Razgatlioglu.

Andrea Locatelli (Pata Maxus Yamaha) was seventh after setting a 1’40.500s, with FP1 pacesetter Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing - Ducati) in eighth. Bulega didn’t improve his lap time compared to yesterday as he set a 1’40.551s, while he was ahead of GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team duo Remy Gardner and Dominique Aegerter in ninth and tenth respectively.

Elsewhere, there was a big crash for Ryan Vickers (Motocorsa Racing). The Brit lost control of his Panigale V4 R machine coming over the crest heading into Turn 9 and highsided off his machine, with the #17 going to the medical centre for a check-up and later diagnosed with a deep abrasion on his right elbow, but declared fit.

The top six from WorldSBK FP3, full results here:

1. Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) 1’39.446s

2. Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) +0.356s

3. Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) +0.555s

4. Alex Lowes (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) +0.635s

5. Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) +0.676s

6. Michael van der Mark (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) +0.987s

Next up, Tissot Superpole! Watch the WorldSBK riders go flat out to set the Race 1 grid from 11:00 Local Time (UTC+0) using the WorldSBK VideoPass!