WSBK Navarra Round: Razgatlioglu and Rea level on points, Redding closes

Scott Redding (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) got his title challenge back on track with an impressive points haul at Navarra. The Ducati rider comfortably triumphed in Race 1 and fought off Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) in the sprint race for win two of the weekend. He concluded a positive meeting with second in Race 2.

Toprak Razgatlioglu (Pata Yamaha with BRIXX WorldSBK) beat Redding to the flag in Race 2 after two P3 finishes. Rea completed the podium in all three races but recorded another round without victory. Andrea Locatelli (Pata Yamaha with BRIXX WorldSBK) was impressive again, finishing fourth in all races.

Halfway through the season, Rea and Razgatlioglu sit on equal points at the top of the championship standings. Redding reduced his disadvantage to 38 points.

RACE 1

Redding stole the holeshot from poleman Rea who reclaimed P1 coming out of T6. Rea immediately gained some breathing space while Redding had his hands full with Locatelli. Starting from eighth, Razgatlioglu was up to fourth at the end of Lap 1.

Rea pulled away with Redding’s Ducati around half a second behind. Locatelli led his teammate and it almost looked like he was holding Razgatlioglu back through some sections. However, the Turk lost the gear coming out of the final corner and a gap opened between the Yamahas.

Relentless work allowed Redding to reel Rea back in and apply pressure on his opponent. He exploited the Ducati’s horsepower advantage down the start/finish straight and took the lead going into Lap 6. The factory Yamahas were glued back together and Razgatlioglu capitalised on Locatelli running wide to sweep past.

Redding started to grind out an advantage and had just over a second in his favour halfway through the race. The gap between Rea and Razgatlioglu hung at almost three seconds and the Yamaha rider did not look comfortable.

Rea too faced some issues and discovered a nemesis in T9. The Kawasaki struggled to turn and Rea almost lost the front before running wide off track a few laps later. His advantage over Razgatlioglu was substantial enough though and the front positions looked settled.

Redding’s lap times dropped, but he still comfortably secured the first ever WorldSBK win at Navarra. Rea and Razgatlioglu completed the podium without any further complications.

SUPERPOLE RACE

Redding again claimed the holeshot from Rea and led through the opening lap. Razgatlioglu had a fantastic getaway from eighth and was third only a few corners in. Locatelli slotted in in fourth ahead of Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK.

Things immediately got punchy between Rea and Redding and fairings were rubbed multiple times before the Kawasaki claimed P1. The eventual overtake cost Redding drive and Razgatlioglu swept through. The Turk stormed down the start/finish straight and overtook at T1 going into Lap 3. An aggressive Rea instantly fought back and despite slight contact with the Yamaha, he reclaimed the position.

This time it was Redding who capitalised and moved past Razgatlioglu who had been forced wide. The Ducati power was on his side down start/finish and he took the lead into T1 on Lap 4. Redding stayed in front and edged out a gap to Rea who desperately tried to hang on.

The top trio broke away with around half a second of space between themselves respectively. Further behind, Locatelli and Lowes exchanged punches with the Italian holding the upper hand.

Rea gained time on Redding through the twisty sections, but he had a substantial horsepower disadvantage to the Ducati. He shadowed him closely over the final lap but could just not get close enough. Razgatlioglu had to settle for third.

RACE 2

Redding stayed in the lead from pole ahead of the Yamaha teammates Locatelli and Razgatlioglu. Rea had a rare poor start and dropped into fifth behind Lowes. Feathers were ruffled on the opening lap and Razgatlioglu eventually claimed P1 from Redding. Rea was up to third, but Tom Sykes (BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) was the big surprise in fourth.

Razgatlioglu set a strong pace and unwilling to let him escape, Rea swept into second through the hairpin on Lap 2. The defending champion closed in on his title rival, dragging Redding with him and the trio broke away. Behind, Locatelli stretched away from a fiercely contested group featuring Sykes, Michael van der Mark (BMW Motorrad WorldSBK) and Lowes.

Redding started to look troubled by his soft tyre halfway through the race and struggled to keep the pace. He let the Ducati come back to him and regained touch to Rea. Razgatlioglu, however, gradually disappeared into the distance.

Rea escaped a crash by fractions when his front end went at T15 with six laps to go. Cat-like reactions kept the Kawasaki upright, but Redding was invited well in. The Ducati rider accelerated past into T1 a lap later but ran wide and allowed Rea back through.

A few corners later though, Redding capitalised on another mistake and overtook round the outside. Rea looked uncomfortable and had to settle for third, but Redding had not given up on the win yet. He took time out of Razgatlioglu, but the Yamaha rider responded and made no mistake to take the flag first.