The MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship was back on track at the Czech Round for a dramatic Superpole Race, with Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team), securing a legendary 50^th victory in WorldSBK and his 11^th with BMW which allowed the German factory to take the lead of the manufacturers’ Championship. Behind the #54 at the line was Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati), who took second place at the line after late drama with his teammate on the final lap of the race. The final spot on the podium then went the way of Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK), who took his 41^st podium – equalling Neil Hodgson.

ACTION BEGINS: Toprak loses the lead early

In a repeat to Race 1, Razgatlioglu claimed the holeshot and stormed to Turn 1 ahead of Aruba.it Racing – Ducati’s Bulega and Alvaro Bautista, who had a phenomenal launch. However, Bulega soon attacked the #54, demoting Razgatlioglu to second for the first time this weekend. Bautista soon followed Bulega through, dropping the Turkish rider to third, before Razgatlioglu would respond at Turn 1 on Lap 2, taking second before stealing P1 later in the lap. Bautista pushed hard throughout, making a small mistake which briefly dropped him towards Alex Lowes in fourth.

Further back, Jonathan Rea (Pata Prometeon Yamaha) would make moves through the field, eventually battling for the final point-scoring position with Michael van der Mark (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team). In the closing stages, nobody could match Razgatlioglu, who took victory by a comfortable margin as the battle for second was decided on the final lap. Bulega went through the gravel at Turn 1, staying on his machine as Bautista ran wide and crashed – promoting Alex Lowes to third.

POINTS: Rea ahead of van der Mark

Fourth place was taken by Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team), who secured a good start for Race 2 after the Italian finished ahead of Remy Gardner (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team), who rounded out the top five. The #87 had a strong Superpole Race, beating Andrea Locatelli (Pata Prometeon Yamaha), finishing less than a second behind in sixth. The #55 finished ahead of compatriot Andrea Iannone (Team GoEleven), who was unable to repeat his success from Race 1, finishing in seventh. Rea took eighth in the results after van der Mark was demoted one position to ninth for overtaking under yellow flags at Turn 1.

MISSING OUT: Rinaldi 10^th

Michael Ruben Rinaldi (Team Motocorsa Racing) missed out on a spot inside the top nine, finishing 10^th at the line. However, it was an early end to the race for Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) and Scott Redding (Bonovo Action BMW), who had a crash at Turn 1. Sam Lowes would be taken to the medical centre and was later confirmed to have suffered a left collarbone fracture. Meanwhile, Bautista would enter the pitlane on the final lap after his crash on the final and was not classified in the results.

The top nine from the Superpole Race, full results here:

1. Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team)

2. Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing - Ducati) +3.812s

3. Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) 4.251s

4. Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) +6.534s

5. Remy Gardner (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) +6.673s

6. Andrea Locatelli (Pata Prometeon Yamaha) +7.510s

7. Andrea Iannone (Team GoEleven) +7.556s

8. Michael van der Mark (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) +9.885s

9. Jonathan Rea (Pata Prometeon Yamaha) +10.044s

Fastest lap: Toprak Razgatlioglu, BMW - 1'31.180s

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