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Toprak Razgatlioglu Sets New Record for Consecutive World Superbike Wins
Toprak Razgatlioglu has etched his name in the history books by claiming an impressive 12 consecutive victories in the World Superbike Championship, following his latest triumph in the Superpole race held in Portugal on Sunday. With this remarkable feat, the 27-year-old Turkish rider has set a new benchmark for the series.
Riding a BMW, Razgatlioglu showcased his exceptional skill and dominance on the track, finishing nearly three seconds ahead of his closest competitor, Danilo Petrucci. British racer Alex Lowes rounded out the podium, demonstrating the competitive spirit that characterizes the championship.
The previous record for the most consecutive wins in the World Superbike series stood at 11, a milestone achieved by prominent riders such as Alvaro Bautista in both 2019 and last season, as well as Northern Ireland’s Jonathan Rea, who accomplished the feat in 2018.
With this victory, Razgatlioglu has expanded his lead in the championship standings to 87 points over Nicolo Bulega, while defending champion Bautista finds himself 117 points behind in third place.
The race saw Ducati’s Petrucci take an early lead after the first lap, but Razgatlioglu quickly moved to the front, establishing a commanding lead of over two seconds by the halfway mark of the 10-lap race. As the competition intensified, Petrucci faced a fierce challenge from Lowes for second place. Lowes briefly lost his position on lap eight to Michael van der Mark, yet he successfully reclaimed it shortly before the race concluded.
Van der Mark secured a strong fourth-place finish, with Bulega and Bautista completing the top six positions. Jonathan Rea had a challenging outing, finishing in 10th place.
Source
www.bbc.com