The MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship returned for racing action on Sunday at the Pirelli Portuguese Round. It was an unbelievable race which entered the history books after Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team)  became the first rider ever to take 12 consecutive victories in WorldSBK. It was an impressive ride from the Turkish star, who claimed his 53^rd and will be setting sights on a potential 54^th in Race 2. Chasing Razgatlioglu at the line was Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team), who after claiming the lead on the opening lap, battled hard to hold onto second and finished 0.271s ahead of Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK), who took his eighth podium of the season.

PERFECTION: Razgatlioglu charges to history

It was a brilliant launch from Petrucci, leading Lowes on the opening lap as the thrilling Superpole Race got underway. However, Razgatlioglu was soon on the attack, lining up a brilliant move on the run to Turn 1, using the slipstream and braking deep to charge from third to first. There were battles everywhere in the opening laps with Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) attempting to have another strong race at Portimao after passing Jonathan Rea (Pata Prometeon Yamaha) for sixth.

Meanwhile, Petrucci began to battle with Lowes, trying to reclaim second place at the halfway point. The Italian made the move stick, with Michael van der Mark (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) soon putting the #22 under pressure in the battle for the final podium position. Lowes dropped to fourth with two laps remaining, before responding on the final lap to reclaim third from van der Mark. Nobody could match Razgatlioglu’s pace, allowing the #54 to claim his 12^th consecutive victory in WorldSBK, with Petrucci and Lowes joining him on the podium.

POINTS: Strong ride from Vierge

Finishing in fourth was van der Mark, who continues to show podium pace at Portimao after the Dutchman finished ahead of Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) in fifth. The Italian had an uneventful Superpole Race, beating his teammate Bautista by a mere 0.166s. Meanwhile, it was a sensation result for Xavi Vierge (Team HRC), claiming seventh, and earning a strong starting position for the final race of the weekend. The #97 was ahead of top Yamaha rider, Dominique Aegerter (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team), who was eighth as the final spot inside the top nine went the way of Andrea Iannone (Team GoEleven).

NO POINTS: Rea drops to 10^th

Rea crossed the line in 10^th, dropping down the order throughout the Superpole Race with attention turning to Race 2. The six-time WorldSBK Champion was ahead of his teammate Andrea Locatelli (Pata Prometeon Yamaha), who was 13^th and ahead of GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team’s Remy Gardner, with the Australian finishing in 15^th.

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

1. Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team)

2. Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) +2.980s

3. Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) +3.251s

4. Michael van der Mark (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team)

5. Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing - Ducati) +3.563s

6. Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing - Ducati) +3.729s

7. Xavi Vierge (Team HRC) +8.025s

8. Dominique Aegerter (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) +9.769s

9. Andrea Iannone (Team GoEleven) +9.823s

Fastest lap: Toprak Razgatlioglu (BMW) – 1’40.069s

Make sure you tune in for Race 2 at 18:00 Local Time (UTC +1) using the WorldSBK VideoPass - now 50% off!