Portimao WorldSBK, FP1 Results | Toprak Razgatlioglu sets the pace, as technical issues ruin Bulega's session

09/08/2024 15:22

Toprak Razgatlioglu once again leads the way in World Superbikes, as his closest rival of Nicolo Bulega suffers a session-ending technical issue.

The World Superbike Championship enters the second half of the season at Portimao. This is the first of two visits to Portugal for WorldSBK. The main goal of every rider this weekend will be to stop Toprak Razgatlioglu's dominance...

The Championship leader's dominance continues in practice as Razgatlioglu claims the top spot in Free Practice One. The 2021 World Superbike Champion has started his weekend just how he would want it to continue.

Fresh off signing for Kawasaki Puccetti Racing for the 2025 World Superbike season, Garrett Gerloff finished FP1 in second. The American rider enjoys Portimao and will be on the hunt for some strong results this weekend.

Yesterday Alvaro Bautista announced that he was in talks with re-signing with Ducati for 2025, today he finished FP1 in third. Bautista needs to sort out his one-lap pace if he wants to challenge for the title this season as his Superpole performances have been letting him down.

Danilo Petrucci started his weekend well with a fourth place, the Italian rider also discussed his future yesterday stating he wants to stay with the Barni Spark Racing Team.

Honda has jumped up the time sheets today to a position they will not be used to in 2024. Iker Lecuona ended FP1 in fifth place. With both of HRC's riders outside of the top 15 in the Championship, they need a strong run of form.

Jonathan Rea loves Portimao as he has the most podium finishes at the Portuguese circuit. Rea has struggled so far in 2024 but a sixth place in the first session of the weekend is a good start for the six-time WorldSBK Champion.

Just behind Rea was his Italian team-mate, Andrea Locatelli. The top Yamaha rider is seventh in the first session of the weekend and will want to return to the podium this weekend.

The top Kawasaki rider is Alex Lowes down in eighth place, nearly a second slower than Razgatlioglu. Kawasaki will have a lot of work to do this afternoon.

Michael van der Mark is down in ninth place, the Dutch rider has good memories at Portimao and will want to match Razgatlioglu and Gerloff's pace this afternoon.

Rounding out the top ten is Remy Gardner. The Australian is back on Superbike duties after wildcarding at Silverstone in the British Grand Prix. Gardner has not yet put pen to paper on a contract for 2025, but the offer to stay put in WorldSBK is on the table.

The remaining British riders of Bradley Ray and Scott Redding sit in 14th and 15th place after FP1. Fellow British riders Tarran Mackenzie and Sam Lowes have both been sidelined this weekend to recover from injuries.

2024 Portimao WorldSBK | Free Practice One Results

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