Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) showcased his Championship mettle in an electrifying Race 1 at Portimao, sealing a hard-fought victory to extend his lead in the standings by five points. It was Toprak Razgatlioglu (Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK) who initially grabbed the lead, with Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) making a jaw-dropping recovery after a Turn 3 incident. However, Bautista’s unwavering determination led him to overtake and secure his 22nd win of the season, closing in on the all-time Ducati record held by Carl Fogarty. Ducati also celebrated as Bautista’s win guaranteed them the 2023 Manufacturers’ Title.
In the fierce battle for fourth place, Garrett Gerloff (Bonovo Action BMW) emerged victorious ahead of Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) and Remy Gardner (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team). Michael van der Mark (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) took the flag in seventh. The race also witnessed Andrea Locatelli’s (Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK) strong charge from the back of the grid to ninth place, setting the stage for an intriguing Tissot Superpole Race.
With his Race 1 win, Bautista further solidified his standing atop the Championship, now leading by 52 points.
P1 | Alvaro Bautista | Aruba.it Racing – Ducati
“For sure, today has been a really good day for Ducati because they won the Manufacturers’ Title. I’m so happy to be part of this success. Congratulations to all the Ducati family! I’m also happy from my side because today was a very difficult day for me. In the Superpole, we made a small change to the bike that didn’t work, and I couldn’t set a good lap time. But, in any case, I was confident for the race. Certainly, track conditions were tricky with the strong wind. The wind was different on every lap, and for me, it was difficult to understand and find reference points. At the beginning, I enjoyed the battle with Jonathan and Toprak. I took the lead. It was challenging for me to maintain the same pace as yesterday afternoon or this morning because the wind was too strong. Maybe it’s because I’m light, and I feel it more, but I tried to understand it and not make any mistakes. Toprak was pushing hard, I was keeping an eye on the gap, and it remained constant. Congratulations to him because he made a big improvement between yesterday and today, and he was able to match my race pace. As for me, I tried not to make any mistakes, and today I could win again, so I’m very happy.”
If Bautista wins both races on Sunday, Razgatlioglu must finish second to take the title fight to Jerez.
Currently third in the Championship, Rea added to his podium tally with a hard-fought third-place finish in Race 1.
Gerloff had an outstanding performance in Race 1 at Portimao, battling through the field to secure a fourth-place finish.
WorldSBK Race 1 Results
1.Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati)
2. Toprak Razgatlioglu (Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK) +2.098s
3. Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) +6.790s
4. Garrett Gerloff (Bonovo Action BMW) +12.093s
5. Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) +13.148s
6. Remy Gardner (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) +13.714s
WorldSBK Championship standings
1. Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) 529 points
2. Toprak Razgatlioglu (Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK) 477 points
3. Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) 344 points
Gennai triumphs, the title race is still on: Perez Gonzalez third, Buis P8
WorldSSP300 Race 1 at the Pirelli Portuguese Round proved to be a pivotal moment in the Championship battle. Mirko Gennai (Team BrCorse) secured a dramatic victory, leading a Team BrCorse 1-2 as Marco Gaggi claimed second. However, it was the title contenders who stole the spotlight.
In a thrilling turn of events, the FIM Supersport 300 World Championship title race will go down to the wire in Race 2. Jose Luis Perez Gonzalez (Accolade Smrz Racing BGR) secured a crucial third place finish in Race 1, while Championship leader Jeffrey Buis (MTM Kawasaki) received two penalties, including a Long Lap Penalty for slow riding in Free Practice, which dropped him to 14th. Despite a spirited comeback, he finished in eighth place. The Championship battle is still on, 22 points separating Buis and Perez Gonzalez.
* On the final lap, a red flag incident occurred at Turn 4, involving Jose Manuel Osuna Saez (Deza-Box 77 Racing Team). As a result, the race was immediately halted, and the results were determined based on the last completed timekeeping point for each rider. Following the incident, Osuna Saez was promptly taken to the medical center. The medical evaluation revealed that he had sustained injuries, including a left collarbone fracture, a chest contusion, and left rib fractures. He will be transported to the hospital for further assessments
Mirko Gennai emerged victorious in a red-flagged race, leading his teammate Marco Gaggi to a Team BrCorse 1-2 finish.
P1 | Mirko Gennai | Team BrCorse
“Today was a challenging but lucky race. I studied the others during the final lap to cross the finish line first. Unfortunately, the race ended one lap earlier, and I hope Osuna is okay. I was lucky to be leading in the last sector just before the red flag, so I could win the race. Today is a great day because it’s a 1-2 finish with my teammate, the first time this has happened, and it’s all thanks to our team’s perfect work this week! I’d like to dedicate this victory to Victor Steeman. Thanks to everyone.”
Perez Gonzalez showcased his determination with a crucial third-place finish setting the stage for a title showdown in Race 2.
Jeffrey Buis will be crowned WorldSSP300 Champion in Race 2 if:
– He finishes 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th or 13th.
– Rider #73 Perez Gonzalez does not win the race
WorldSSP300 Race 1 Results
1. Mirko Gennai (Team BrCorse)
2. Marco Gaggi (Team BrCorse) +0.142s
3. Jose Luis Perez Gonzalez (Accolade Smrz Racing BGR) +0.446s
4. Matteo Vannucci (AG Motorsport Italia Yamaha) +0.633s
5. Dirk Geiger (Freudenberg KTM – Paligo Racing) +0.807s
6. Kevin Sabatucci (Team Flembbo – PI Performances) +1.095s
WorldSSP300 Championship standings
1. Jeffrey Buis (MTM Kawasaki) 202 points
2. Jose Luis Perez Gonzalez (Accolade Smrz Racing BGR) 180 points
3. Dirk Geiger (Freudenberg KTM-Paligo Racing) 158 points
Credit WorldSBK Press Release
