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The next two weekends will bring a close to the 2025 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship season. With 124 points still available there is still a lot to play for with 36 points separating Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) and Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing - Ducati).

RAZGATLIOGLU REMAINS FAVOURITE: A 36-point lead for ‘El Turco’

The BMW rider is the clear favourite though. The title is very much in Toprak’s hands, if he finishes second in each race he will retain his championship. Toprak though will be keen to wrap up the crown in style before moving to MotoGP next year. Winning races is what motivates Razgatlioglu and while he could accept defeat to Bulega last time out in Aragon he will be relishing getting back on top this weekend.

ESTORIL’S HISTORY-MAKING BATTLE: The closest ever finish in the Superpole Race

Estoril was a statement weekend in 2024. A last corner drag race to the line in the Tissot Superpole Race was won by three thousandths of a second. It was the closest ever finish in WorldSBK and left Razgatlioglu with “a broken heart.” This weekend he will want to reassert himself and prove once again that he is the class act in the field.

BULEG FIGHTS BACK: A Sunday double at Aragon keeps him in the mix

By winning both Sunday races at Aragon, Bulega proved himself a capable foil to his rival. The Ducati star did what he had to do but having finished second 16 times this year he has probably given himself too much ground to make up with the clock ticking down to the final races of the season. For Bulega to have a chance to be Champion, he will need to be perfect and need someone else to get into the mix. For Ducati to claim the title they need some wildcards to get into the mix and challenge at the front. Luckily for the Italian manufacturer they have the players available to spring a surprise.

CAN BULEGA’S FELLOW DUCATI RIDERS HELP HIM? The #11 needs them in the battle

The Ducati V4R is still the best package on the grid, and they have the riders to challenge. Whether it’s Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing - Ducati) chasing his first win in a year, the ultra consistent Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) or the speed of Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team), there are certainly other Ducati riders that can be at the front. To give Bulega a chance to win the title he will likely need some help from his stablemates.

THE WEATHER EFFECT: Estoril often throws up a surprise

The other factor that can’t be ignored is the weather. This weekend’s race at Estoril is at a circuit that can be hit by a sudden shift in weather at any stage. The Atlantic coastline of Portugal is quite volatile and in an instant there can be a temperature drop, the wind can pick up and clouds can appear on the horizon. There will be plenty of eyes on the skies throughout the weekend.

A CRUCIAL WEEKEND: Can Bulega take it to Jerez?

This weekend’s three races will be critical in determining the outcome of the title fight. If Toprak extends his lead the title battle is all but over. If Bulega can only claim back a handful of points it will be advantage Razgatlioglu. If other riders get in the mix though the title battle could take a big swing towards one rider or the other...

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