REVIEW: ROUND 8, MOST - Bautista’s record-breaking win, Toprak crashes from P1
July was an intense month of WorldSBK action and it came to an end with a frantic WorldSBK Race 2 in the Czech Republic
Three rounds in July ended the first part of the season as the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship reached its summer break, but the drama continued right up until the chequered flag in Race 2. It was a rain-affected Czech Round but the Autodrom Most saved the most dramatic moments until the final stages of the weekend after an incredible Race 2. Catch up on all the action from both Race 1 and Race 2 HERE and watch highlights from a stunning Tissot Superpole Race on YouTube – don’t forget to subscribe!
Race 2 was thrilling affair between Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) and Toprak Razgatlioglu (Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK), with the #1 battling from fourth to the lead whilst the Turk started from P1. For several laps, the reigning World Champion tried as hard as he could to pass the #54 into Turn 1 with the 2021 Champion able to resist, including a mesmerising late-braking show around the outside at the first chicane. The battle raged until the Yamaha star crashed on the exit of Turn 2 on Lap 17 due to a rear tyre failure, ending his hopes of cutting the title gap to 44 points. It allowed Bautista to claim his 50th WorldSBK and also his 18th victory of 2023, becoming the rider with most wins in a single season, beating Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) and Doug Polen’s record of 17.
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