The Misano World Circuit proves tough for many riders, but not for the leading duo: the Turkish rider defeats Bulega on the Italian track.
Fifty-degree asphalt doesn’t intimidate the riders as they launch into the first race of the Romagna weekend: the Razgatlioglu-Bulega duel continues, but the BMW rider wins a spectacular race, beating his rival right on home turf.
Danilo Petrucci also makes it to the podium, consolidating third place in the riders’ standings after a stunning comeback from ninth on the grid. Bautista finishes only in seventh place, behind Alex Lowes (4th), Andrea Locatelli (5th), and Sam Lowes (6th).
So far, it’s been an amazing weekend for Yari Montella, who finishes the race in eighth place. The next event is tomorrow morning at 9 AM for the warm-up, followed two hours later by the Superpole Race.
Race Highlights
THE START – Great launch from Razgatlioglu and Bassani, but Bulega quickly goes after the Venetian rider. A mistake by the Turk gives the championship leader the opportunity to take the lead, despite starting from the second row due to a penalty.
A crash between Aegerter and Sofuoglu at the Quercia corner: both riders end up in the gravel and out of the race on lap one. The contact also affects Gerloff, who drops to last place. The tricky track also catches out Bassani and Iannone early on.
Just three laps in, Toprak Razgatlioglu regains the lead, immediately followed by Bulega. Behind them is Danilo Petrucci, who despite a 5-second gap puts on a stunning charge; the Lowes twins follow, along with Locatelli and Montella.
Van der Mark also crashes out at the Tramonto corner: only 18 riders remain on track.
Photo: Nicolò Bulega, Sam Lowes