Portuguese WorldSBK Superpole: Toprak Razgatlioglu breaks Portimao lap record

Toprak Razgatlioglu delivered a masterclass at the 2025 Portuguese WorldSBK Superpole, breaking the Portimao lap record to secure his first pole position of the season.

The Turkish rider, representing the ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team, demonstrated remarkable pace and precision at the Algarve circuit with a record-breaking lap of 1’39.081 to reclaim dominance in the championship after a challenging season opener in Australia.

Toprak Razgatlioglu’s performance was nothing short of spectacular. The Portuguese WorldSBK Superpole session began with intense competition as riders pushed their machines to the limit on the undulating Portimao track, known for its sharp inclines and rapid descents.

Razgatlioglu wasted no time, setting a blistering pace early on with a 1’39.133 lap that already surpassed the previous track record.

However, the reigning WorldSBK champion wasn’t content with just breaking records; he went even faster on his subsequent attempt, clocking the extraordinary 1’39.081 lap that secured pole position.

This achievement highlighted not only his skill but also the capabilities of his BMW machine, which seemed perfectly tuned for the Algarve circuit.

Aruba.it Racing Ducati’s Nicolo Bulega claimed the second spot on the grid, finishing 0.245 seconds behind Razgatlioglu.

Bulega, who entered Portimao as the championship leader following a dominant performance in Australia, showcased consistent speed throughout the session but could not match Razgatlioglu’s record-breaking pace.

Danilo Petrucci of Barni Spark Racing Team Ducati rounded out the front row with a solid performance, trailing by 0.402 seconds. Petrucci’s ability to secure third place reflected his growing confidence and competitiveness in the series.

Pata Maxus Yamaha’s Andrea Locatelli delivered an impressive fourth-place finish in Portuguese WorldSBK Superpole, narrowly missing out on a front-row start by just 0.126 seconds.

Locatelli’s performance was particularly noteworthy as he managed to outperform several Ducati riders despite Yamaha’s relative struggles earlier in the season.

Sam Lowes of ELF Marc VDS Racing Team Ducati secured fifth place, demonstrating strong form despite setbacks during practice sessions.

Xavi Vierge of Honda HRC completed the second row with a promising sixth-place finish, showcasing Honda’s potential to challenge for podiums this season.

Michael van der Mark, Razgatlioglu’s teammate at ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team, initially appeared poised for a top-three finish but ultimately settled for seventh place. His performance reflected both promise and room for improvement as he continues to adapt to BMW machinery.

Dominique Aegerter of GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team secured eighth place, while Alvaro Bautista of Aruba.it Racing – Ducati claimed ninth despite struggling to find his rhythm during Superpole.

Remy Gardner of GYTR GRT Yamaha rounded out the top ten in with a commendable effort.

The Portuguese WorldSBK Superpole session also saw notable challenges for other riders. Garrett Gerloff of Kawasaki WorldSBK Team finished 16th after struggling to extract maximum performance from his bike on this demanding circuit.

Alex Lowes of bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team endured a difficult outing, crashing early in the session and having his lone fast lap canceled due to yellow flag conditions, leaving him classified last in 23rd place.

READ ALSO:

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• Razgatlioglu tops Portuguese WorldSBK FP2

2025 Portuguese WorldSBK Superpole Results – Algarve circuit