WorldSBK: Alvaro Bautista wins Race Two in Argentina

Alvaro Bautista takes the win in the final race of the weekend

After Toprak Razgatlioglu took victory in the Superpole Race he kept his pole position for the final race. Alvaro Bautista moved up one place on the grid after a second place finish in the Superpole Race. Jonathan Rea rounded out the front row with a third place finish.

For the final time this weekend it was Jonathan Rea who led on lap one into turn one. With Michael Ruben Rinaldi and Razgatlioglu following behind. Alex Lowes straight away passed Razgatlioglu for third. Bautista had been pushed back to fifth. Bautista passed Razgatlioglu for fourth at the end of a hectic opening lap.

On lap two Rinaldi led across the line from the Kawasaki duo of Rea and Lowes. Rea tried to pass Rinaldi but dropped back to sixth, promoting Lowes to second and Bautista to third.

Lap three saw Lowes take the lead in Argentina as he passed Rinaldi. However, Rinaldi blasted back passed Lowes down the straight retaking the lead.

Bautista took second place off of Lowes as he passed him on lap four. Razgatlioglu also made his way passed Lowes. Demoting Lowes down to fourth and putting Bautista and Razgatlioglu in second and third.

On the fifth lap Bautista took the lead off of his teammate and began to up the pace ahead of his rivals. When Razgatlioglu could see Bautista checking out and passed Rinaldi to take second place.

Seven laps into the race and Rea passed Xavi Vierge to put himself into fifth place. Lowes finally passed Rinaldi to retake third place for Kawasaki. Rea made a move again on Rinaldi to put himself into fourth, just behind his teammate.

On lap eight Axel Bassani was handed a long lap penalty for irresponsible riding. This was given because Loris Baz was taken out of the race by Bassani. However, because Bassani did not take his long lap he was given a double long lap penalty. Bassani then did not take his double long lap penalty so was given a ride through penalty.

Things had started to settle down at the front with 10 laps to go as Bautista pulled out a 0.8 second lead over Razgatlioglu.

Five laps to go and Rea was still sat behind Lowes. It seems unlikely that Lowes will finish in third with Rea still mathematically being a Championship contender. With just over three laps left and Rea slips into third ahead of his teammate.

After 21 laps Alvaro Bautista took his second win of the weekend! This win further solidified the Spaniards Championship lead. Razgatlioglu finished second with Rea in third.

Images from worldsbk.com