Relentless Razgatlioglu Strikes First in France

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Under ideal racing conditions, Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) wasted no time asserting his authority at Magny-Cours, kicking off the French Round in spectacular style. From pole position, the reigning World Superbike Champion controlled every aspect of Race 1, storming to his tenth consecutive victory, a result that not only reinforced his grip on the championship but also showcased the strength of BMW’s ever-improving package.

Race 1 Highlights – Superbike

Launching from pole, Razgatlioglu executed the perfect holeshot, immediately stretching a gap of four tenths by the end of the opening lap. Alex Lowes (Bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) kept the Turk honest for the opening three tours before Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) muscled his way into second on lap five. By that stage, however, Razgatlioglu was already out of reach, holding an advantage of more than two seconds which he continued to extend relentlessly. At the chequered flag, his winning margin exceeded eight seconds — a demolition job in every sense.

The battle behind was far tighter. The Lowes brothers delivered an entertaining scrap for the final podium place. Alex held his ground with a combination of precise defending and clever race management. As the laps wound down, he began to edge clear, sealing his second rostrum of the campaign. His twin, Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team), looked set for a strong finish but crashed in the dying stages, eventually salvaging ninth.

There was no shortage of drama further back. Andrea Locatelli (Pata Maxus Yamaha) was forced to start from the rear of the grid but carved his way through in determined fashion to finish fifth. He slotted in just behind Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team), the pair reigniting their battle for third in the overall standings.

The race had begun chaotically when a five-rider pile-up unfolded at Turn 13 on the opening lap. Jonathan Rea, Andrea Iannone, Yari Montella, Xavi Vierge, and reigning champion Alvaro Bautista were all involved, with Montella later penalised with a double long-lap penalty for his role.

For Michael van der Mark (ROKiT BMW Motorrad), the afternoon unravelled quickly. After a bright start that had him inside the top five, the Dutchman crashed at Turn 8 on lap seven. He rejoined, only to fall again later. Along with Iannone, his fitness will be assessed before Sunday’s action.

Superbike Championship Picture

Razgatlioglu extends his lead to 31 points over Bulega
Petrucci, Locatelli, and Bautista remain split by just 29 points in the battle for third overall
Ducati stays in front in the Manufacturers’ standings, but BMW’s ten-race streak has cut the gap to just 11 points

Rider Reactions

P1 – Toprak Razgatlioglu (BMW): “Last year I had a big crash here, so my goal was to return and win. I love this track, and today we showed our strength. The team worked hard, and I’m aiming for three wins this weekend.”
P2 – Nicolo Bulega (Ducati): “My start was poor and I struggled with front-end issues later, but I kept pushing. Toprak was on another level today.”
P3 – Alex Lowes (Bimota Kawasaki): “I’m delighted with the podium. This is a new project, and the guys are working so hard. Sam helped me in qualifying, and I paid him back with some strong pace. We’re learning fast.”

Race 1 Results – Superbike

Razgatlioglu (BMW) – 1’35.642 (new lap record)
Bulega (Ducati) +8.597s
A. Lowes (Bimota Kawasaki) +10.979s
Petrucci (Barni Ducati) +17.793s
Locatelli (Yamaha) +20.648s
Gardner (GYTR GRT Yamaha) +26.031s

Supersport: Manzi Edges Oncu in a Last-Lap Thriller

The WorldSSP contest served up another instant classic, as Stefano Manzi (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing) and Can Oncu (Yamaha BLU CRU Evan Bros Team) locked horns in a 19-lap battle that went right down to the wire.

For lap after lap, the pair were inseparable, trading blows and edging clear of the rest. Oncu appeared to have the upper hand when Manzi made a mistake at Turn 13 two laps from home, losing nearly a second. But the Italian regrouped instantly, digging deep to launch a daring final-lap move at the very same corner, this time making it stick. Manzi crossed the line less than three tenths ahead to claim victory.

Alberto Surra, making his WorldSSP debut for Yamaha BLU CRU Evan Bros, impressed with a podium finish after Lucas Mahias (GMT94 Yamaha) was penalised for course cutting, dropping the Frenchman to fourth. Local rider Corentin Perolari (Honda) was the top Supersport Challenge contender in fifth, finishing ahead of Tom Booth-Amos (PTR Triumph).

With his fastest lap, Oncu at least secured pole position for Race 2, where he will again line up alongside Manzi and Surra.

Supersport Championship Picture

Manzi now enjoys a commanding 64-point lead over Oncu with seven races left
Booth-Amos climbs back into third after Jaume Masia’s retirement

Race 1 Results – WorldSSP

Manzi (Pata Yamaha) – 1’40.435
Oncu (Yamaha Evan Bros) +0.244s
Surra (Yamaha Evan Bros) +4.415s
Mahias (GMT94 Yamaha) +5.991s
Perolari (Honda) +7.257s
Booth-Amos (PTR Triumph) +8.852s

WorldSSP300: Dream Return for Veneman

The WorldSSP300 category delivered its trademark chaos and last-lap drama, but for Loris Veneman (MTM Kawasaki), it couldn’t have gone much better. Returning to the class after time away, the Dutchman started from pole and led from the outset, though his race was anything but straightforward.

In a thrilling three-way scrap with teammate Carter Thompson and Matteo Vannucci (PATA AG Motorsport Italia Yamaha), the podium was decided only in the final corners. Thompson launched a late attack at Turn 15 but carried too much speed, forcing Vannucci wide and handing Veneman the perfect opportunity to dive through at Turn 16. Veneman seized the moment to claim his fourth career win in WorldSSP300, a result that made his comeback all the more special.

Behind the leading trio, Phillip Tonn and Jeffrey Buis delivered a solid double for Freudenberg KTM-Paligo Racing in fourth and fifth. David Salvador (Team ProDina XCI) recovered from a long-lap penalty to take sixth. Championship leader Benat Fernandez (Team#109 Kove) endured a disastrous outing, starting from the 11th row after a penalty and finishing only 11th, more than ten seconds behind.

Vannucci at least salvaged something with the fastest lap, giving him pole for Race 2.

WorldSSP300 Championship Picture

Fernandez clings to a six-point lead over Julio Garcia, who missed the weekend through injury
Kawasaki lead the Manufacturers’ standings by 45 points over Kove

Race 1 Results – WorldSSP300