The confidence is at a very high level, so at least that is what it looks like for Toprak Razgatlioglu after the World Superbike tests in Portimão, where the Turkish rider showed once again that the way he is adapting to the BMW continues to go well.
In statements to the international press, the rider said that he had the pace to win if he had raced in Australia. Now, quoted on the championship’s official website, Razga was keen to emphasise that he is practically at 100%: ‘It was a fantastic day because we did a really good job. Now, we are 99% ready to race; the feeling is good. Every day, we are getting better because we improve the bike. On day two, with the SC0 tyre, I did some 1’39.8s maybe three or four times. With the SCX, I did a 1’39.2s; this is an unbelievable time! I was really surprised’.
He also thanked a rival team, which had no problem “helping out”: ‘At the end of the day, thanks to Bonovo because we asked for an SCQ tyre, but we only improved by a tenth. I didn’t make a 1’38s, but maybe next time! I did 15 laps in a race simulation. On two laps, I did a 1’39.9s, then after, I’m in the low 1’40s, which are very strong lap times on the SC0 tyre’.
Even so, there is room for progress, he believes: ‘It looks like we’re ready to race but we are still learning. I feel like the bike is my bike, I’m riding in my style. Turning isn’t 100% but we are close. Every day we are learning and improving’.