Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) was virtually unbeatable in the Tissot Superpole session at the Circuito Estoril after setting an incredible 1’34.203s to claim pole for the EICMA Estoril Round. ‘El Turco’ was a second quicker than his own FP3 lap record, and more than a second faster from the 2022 pole lap record, as he beat title rival Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing - Ducati) to P1 in Portugal.

THE FIRST RUN: Razgatlioglu obliterates his own lap record

Razgatlioglu continued where he finished FP3 by smashing the all-time lap record on his first lap in Superpole, with a 1’34.743s to lay down a marker, before going even faster on his second run with a 1’34.669s. That left him with a six tenths advantage over Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing - Ducati) in second, who was a tenth clear of teammate Alvaro Bautista after the first runs had been completed.

BULEGA RESPONDS, RAZGATLIOGLU ON TOP: Stunning lap records from both…

Bulega was the first of the two title contenders to head out for his second run, with Jonathan Rea (Pata Maxus Yamaha) following the #11. Bulega went into a provisional pole position with a 1’34.549s, giving ‘El Turco’ a marker which the #1 used to full advantage, setting a 1’34.203s – more than a second quicker than the 2022 pole lap record as he secured pole at the Circuito Estoril, more than three tenths clear of Bulega – using the harder SC2 front tyre. Bautista completed the front row with a 1’35.163s to put the #19 in a great position to fight Bulega and Razgatlioglu when lights go out for the races. It’s Razgatlioglu’s 24^th pole in WorldSBK and he becomes the first rider to take three poles at Estoril, while Bautista returned to the top three for the first time since Aragon 2024; a wait of 377 days.

ON THE SECOND ROW: Bimota, Honda and Yamaha

Alex Lowes (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) continued Bimota’s fine Estoril form as he took P4 with a 1’35.198s with the #22 showing good race pace in Friday’s practice session. Xavi Vierge (Honda HRC) will go from the second row in P5 after lapping a second off Razgatlioglu’s time while Rea will go from sixth after setting a 1’35.277s while following Bulega. Rea arguably enjoyed his best Yamaha weekend of 2024 at Estoril last year and will hope he’s in the podium battle.

GARDNER SHINES AT ESTORIL: P7 for the Australian, Bassani lines up ninth

Remy Gardner (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) lines up just behind Rea in P7, after lapping a tenth off the #65, while Andrea Locatelli (Pata Maxus Yamaha) makes it three Yamahas in a row with P8. Axel Bassani (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) put the second Bimota on the third row after setting a 1’35.438s while Andrea Iannone (Team Pata GoEleven) rounded out the top ten.

The top six from Tissot Superpole, full results here:

1. Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) 1’34.203s
2. Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing - Ducati) +0.346s
3. Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) +0.960s
4. Alex Lowes (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) +0.995s
5. Xavi Vierge (Honda HRC) +1.052s
6. Jonathan Rea (Pata Maxus Yamaha) +1.074s

Don’t miss Race 1 from 14:00 Local Time (UTC+1) using the WorldSBK VideoPass – now only €9.99!