Blue skies and warm temperatures welcomed the WorldSBK paddock at the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve for Round 2 of the Superbike World Championship. A technical glitch kept Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) off the track during FP1, but the reigning champion bounced back in FP2, setting the fastest time of 1:39.995 with a series of impressive laps that were four seconds quicker than his nearest rival.
Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) proved to be a fierce challenger, leading the morning session and maintaining strong consistency in the afternoon, completing 40 laps to secure second place.
Andrea Iannone (Team Pata Go Eleven) faced a delay in FP1 due to a rear brake issue but recovered to finish the day as the third-fastest rider, just six-tenths of a second behind Razgatlioglu, narrowly edging out his teammate Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati).
Adding to the success for BMW, Michael van der Mark (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) clocked a time just over half a second slower than Razgatlioglu, putting him in the top three as well.
P1 – Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team):
“FP1 was surprising for me—I wasn’t riding the bike; I was watching from the box. In FP2, we immediately jumped on track for a race simulation. We had two different rear tyres to test, and I needed to determine which one was best for the race. My first run was a 10-lap simulation, which was half of the race distance, and on my second run, I switched tyres to compare them. We set a strong pace and achieved a good lap time, though I still need to refine my cornering. The heat makes it tough, as the bike’s balance shifts and you lose some grip. We also need to work on engine braking. I’m not completely satisfied with a few corners, so I hope to see improvement tomorrow.”
P2 – Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati):
“We’ve made a huge leap since the test. I didn’t feel great during testing, but in FP1 we improved, and FP2 showed even more progress. We’re narrowing the gap, although Toprak remains incredibly fast. I’m pleased because we’ve reduced that gap significantly. If we can take another step, we’ll get even closer. That’s our target, and we’re working hard for it. I’m looking forward to seeing how things unfold tomorrow, even though predicting the race is always a challenge.”
P3 – Michael van der Mark (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team):
“After the test, we knew we’d be strong here. A race weekend always feels different from testing, and this morning the track felt quite unlike what we experienced during the test. Things didn’t feel as good as I’d hoped, so I believe there’s still room for improvement on the bike. Finishing in P3 is a solid result, and the circuit really suits us. With our improved bike package, I’m confident we’re headed in the right direction. We’re just waiting for race day—maybe a few tweaks are needed, but overall, we’re ready.”
With these encouraging insights and strong performances, Portimao is set to deliver a thrilling race weekend. Fans, buckle up—it’s going to be an intense battle as the riders push their limits on this challenging circuit!
Combined Results after FP2
1. Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) 1’39.995s
2. Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) +0.299s
3. Michael van der Mark (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) +0.511s
4. Andrea Iannone (Team Pata Go Eleven) +0.600s
5. Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) +0.711s
6. Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) +0.762s
Oncu clinches his inaugural Superpole.
A standout Superpole performance saw Can Oncu (Yamaha BLU CRU Evan Bros Team) secure his very first WorldSSP pole position—and it’s also the debut pole for the new Yamaha YZF-R9. The Turkish rider set the pace, leading by nearly 0.6 seconds.
Lucas Mahias (GMT94-YAMAHA) made it to the front row for the second time this season, with Federico Caricasulo (Motozoo ME air Racing) following behind him.
Meanwhile, championship leaders Tom Booth-Amos (R PTR Triumph Factory Racing) and Stefano Manzi (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing) qualified 15th and 6th fastest, respectively. Having missed the opening round, Philipp Oettl (Feel Racing WorldSSP Team) will start from the fourth row.
P1 – Can Oncu (Yamaha BLU CRU Evan Bros Team):
“I’m incredibly happy to be on pole for the first time. This moment means a lot to me, especially since many doubted I’d ever return after my injuries. Kenan always believed in me, saying, ‘You will see, I will bring him back,’ and we worked extremely hard to make that happen. Today’s result is a testament to our hard work alongside Toprak and all the Turkish riders. I’m thrilled to show that I’m back at the front and have maintained a fast pace all day. The bike is amazing, and my team is the best. This is just the beginning—tomorrow and Sunday will be even more important, and I want nothing more than to win.”
Superpole Results
1. Can Oncu (Yamaha BLU CRU Evan Bros Team) 1’42.944s
2. Lucas Mahias (GMT94 Yamaha) +0.598s
3. Federico Caricasulo (Motozoo ME AIR Racing) +0.626s
4. Jeremy Alcoba (Kawasaki WorldSSP Team) +0.659s
5. Bo Bendsneyder (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) +0.741s
6. Stefano Manzi (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing) +0.776s
Fernandez secures his first-ever pole on debut
WorldSSP300 debutant Benat Fernandez stunned the field by claiming an impressive pole for Team #109 Retro Traffic Kove. The Spaniard clocked the fastest time in the final minutes of the session, setting the stage for a memorable start.
Carter Thompson (MTM Kawasaki) earned a front-row spot for his first full campaign in the class, marking the third time in his career he’s started from the front. The Australian is expected to have a strong season. Meanwhile, the Freudenberg KTM-Paligo Racing pair, Phillip Tonn and Jeffrey Buis, secured third and fourth fastest times, meaning the front row for the opening race features three different manufacturers.
P1 – Benat Fernandez (Team #109 Retro Traffic Kove):
“We did our job, and I feel really good about the setup. I was very comfortable on the bike and managed to put in a strong lap. The race will be tight up front because it’s tough to create a gap, but I’m ready to fight. My main goal is to learn. This is my first race, so there’s no pressure—I just want to observe how the others manage the race and keep improving.”
Superpole Results
1. Benat Fernandez (Team#109 Retro Traffic Kove) 1’55.238s
2. Carter Thompson (MTM Kawasaki) +0.039s
3. Phillip Tonn (Freudenberg KTM-Paligo Racing) +0.083s
4. Jeffrey Buis (Freudenberg KTM-Paligo Racing) +0.205s
5. Humberto Maier (Yamaha AD78 FIMLA by MS Racing) +0.332s
6. Antonio Torres (Team ProDina XCI) +0.434s
Official WorldSBK Press Release
