Razgatlioglu Shines in WorldSBK’s Triumphant Return to Hungary

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World Superbike made a long-awaited return to Hungary after more than three decades, and Toprak Razgatlioglu made sure the occasion was memorable. The Turkish star dominated Race 1 at the Balaton Park Circuit from pole position, extending his winning streak to seven races and solidifying his status as the rider to beat in 2025.

Race 1 Recap: Toprak in a League of His Own

The first WorldSBK race on Hungarian soil since 1990 got off to a dramatic start. A multi-rider pile-up at Turn 2 involved no fewer than seven competitors, forcing race direction to red flag the action almost immediately. Among those caught in the chaos were Iker Lecuona (Honda HRC) and Remy Gardner (GYTR GRT Yamaha), both of whom were unable to rejoin the restart. Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team), whose bike was damaged in the melee, had to start from the very back of the grid.

Andrea Iannone (Team Pata Go Eleven) was deemed responsible for the collision and handed a double Long Lap Penalty as a result.

Once the lights went out again, it was Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) who took control. Making a clean getaway from pole, he surged into the lead at Turn 1 and never looked back. Over the course of 20 laps, he methodically extended his advantage, managing tyre wear smartly despite the searing Hungarian heat. By the time the chequered flag waved, he had built a 3.7-second cushion and claimed the fastest lap of the race with a blistering 1’39.732.

Bulega Fights Back for Second, Bautista Completes Podium

Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) didn’t have the cleanest opening lap, dropping to sixth after some early jostling. But the Italian rookie wasn’t flustered. He regrouped quickly, passing Jonathan Rea (Pata Maxus Yamaha) and teammate Alvaro Bautista on consecutive laps. By the time the race reached one-third distance, Bulega had worked his way up to second, where he remained unchallenged for the rest of the race.

Alvaro Bautista, starting from the third row, also made a strong start and found himself in the podium mix early. He held steady in third, shadowing Bulega for much of the race but never quite able to mount a serious attack. Still, the reigning double World Champion was content to collect 16 valuable points as he continues to chase down his rivals in the title fight.

Locatelli, Petrucci Impress in Midfield Battles

Andrea Locatelli (Pata Maxus Yamaha) briefly ran second in the early stages but gradually settled into fourth, engaged in a solo race for much of the distance. His performance was enough to extend a consistent run of top-five finishes, now standing at seven in a row — a testament to the Yamaha rider’s quiet but effective championship campaign.

Danilo Petrucci arguably delivered one of the rides of the day. Starting from the back following the restart, the Italian rocketed through the field, making up 10 places on the opening lap alone. By Lap 2, he had cracked the top ten, and his relentless charge culminated in a fierce final-lap duel with Alex Lowes (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team), which Petrucci edged out to seal an excellent fifth-place finish.

Sam Lowes Falls Again, Frustrating Déjà Vu

Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) looked poised for a podium charge, moving into second by Lap 5. However, the Brit’s push ended in disappointment as he crashed out just two laps later. It marked the second consecutive race where Lowes has thrown away a top-three position due to a fall, leaving him with more questions than answers heading into Sunday’s double-header.

Championship Picture: Toprak Pulls Ahead

Toprak Razgatlioglu’s latest triumph sees him stretch his championship lead to nine points over Bulega. His consistent brilliance and BMW’s improving pace are turning the 2025 title race into a tightly contested affair.

In the Manufacturers’ Championship, BMW’s momentum continues. With Razgatlioglu flying the flag, the German marque has trimmed Ducati’s advantage to just 24 points — a far cry from the early season gap.

Podium Reactions: What the Riders Said

🟦 Toprak Razgatlioglu (1st – ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team):

“The start was straightforward, and from there I focused on managing the race. I had a solid gap in the end, but tyre drop-off around mid-distance made things tricky, especially at the rear. We’ll likely tweak the engine braking for tomorrow’s races. The conditions were hot, but I still enjoyed every lap — especially the chicanes. I’m having fun with the BMW, and this track suits me. Let’s see what happens tomorrow — the weather might shake things up!”

🔴 Nicolo Bulega (2nd – Aruba.it Racing – Ducati):

“It was a tough start — I lost places early and by then Toprak was already gone. But honestly, I’m pleased because yesterday the bike didn’t feel right at all. We made a big improvement overnight, and today the pace was good. If we can take another step tomorrow, I think we can challenge for more.”

🟡 Alvaro Bautista (3rd – Aruba.it Racing – Ducati):

“I’m happy to be back on the podium, especially at a new track like this. I had a strong launch and stayed with the front group. The first few laps were difficult with a full tank, but once the bike got lighter, I could push harder. I tried to pressure Nicolo, but he didn’t make any mistakes. Congrats to him. We’ll aim to do better tomorrow — especially if the weather changes.”

Race 1 – Top 6 Results:

Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team)
Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) +3.738s
Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) +6.002s
Andrea Locatelli (Pata Maxus Yamaha) +13.993s
Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) +16.174s
Alex Lowes (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) +16.590s
🏁 Fastest Lap: Toprak Razgatlioglu – 1’39.732

Magnificent Manzi Storms to Victory with Dominant Ride at Balaton Park

Stefano Manzi delivered a masterclass in pace and control to secure a dominant Race 1 victory at Balaton Park, bouncing back from recent disappointment in style. The Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing rider didn’t start from pole but showed championship-winning form as he carved through the field to claim a commanding win.

Race Recap: From Second Row to Centre Stage

Lining up on the second row, Manzi made his intentions clear from the off. Launching well off the line, the Italian quickly slotted into third place by Turn 1, immediately putting himself in contention. By Lap 2, he had dispatched Roberto Garcia (GMT94 Yamaha) with a clean and decisive move to move into second and began to close in on race leader Can Öncü (Yamaha BLU CRU Evan Bros Team).

Öncü, who had started from the front row, led the opening nine laps with confidence. But as Manzi began to close the gap, it became evident that the Turkish rider’s time at the front was running short. With clean air ahead and clear pace in hand, Manzi bided his time before making his move just past the halfway point.

Once in front, the #62 rider never looked back. He immediately began to stretch his advantage, lap by lap, pulling clear of Öncü to open a 3.8-second gap by the time the chequered flag dropped. The victory was not only clinical but also symbolic — a strong response to the struggles Manzi faced in the previous round and a reminder of his championship credentials.

Scrap for Third: Bendsneyder Edges Farioli and Garcia in Heated Battle

While the lead changed hands smoothly, the fight for the final podium spot was anything but. A three-way tussle developed between Bo Bendsneyder and Filippo Farioli of the MV Agusta Reparto Corse team, and GMT94 Yamaha’s Roberto Garcia.

The trio went wheel-to-wheel in a series of aggressive exchanges, with frequent overtakes, defensive lunges, and even the occasional bit of elbow-rubbing. Ultimately, it was Bendsneyder who came out on top, showcasing his composure and racecraft to hold off his teammate and the ever-pressuring Garcia.

Garcia initially crossed the line in fourth but was later handed a one-place penalty for over-aggressive riding in the closing stages, dropping him to fifth and promoting Farioli into fourth.

Championship Context: Manzi Extends Lead, Booth-Amos Hits Trouble

With his latest win, Manzi now holds a comfortable 50-point cushion over Öncü in the Riders’ Championship — a healthy lead as the series approaches its critical mid-season stretch.

Meanwhile, Tom Booth-Amos (PTR Triumph Factory Racing) endured a nightmare race. An early crash ruled the Brit out of contention altogether, and while he still clings to third in the standings, his lead over Jaume Masia (Orelac Racing Verdnatura) has been cut to just one point. Masia put in a gritty ride from the very back of the grid to salvage a seventh-place finish — a result that may prove crucial in the overall points picture.

Pole Position Secured for Race 2

Manzi’s dominance didn’t end with the win. He also logged the fastest lap of the race — a blistering 1’43.358 — which secures him pole position for Race 2. That will put the Yamaha ace in prime position to go for a weekend double and extend his championship advantage even further.

Rider Reaction – Manzi Reflects on Redemption Ride

🗣️ P1 – Stefano Manzi (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing):

“That was a great race — we were really strong today. After what happened at the last round, this feels like a big comeback for me and the team. I have to thank the crew — they worked late last night making some key changes to the bike after a tricky start to the weekend. It’s a brand-new track, so we were struggling a bit on Friday, but today everything came together. I felt confident, fast, and in control. I’m already looking ahead to tomorrow — we want to do it again.”