Razgatlioglu takes fight to Rea again, continues podium collection

Toprak Razgatlioglu added two more podiums to his World Superbike Championship career tally with another strong performance on the satellite Puccetti Kawasaki at Donington Park.

Having suffered in the wet of race one on Saturday, Razgatlioglu was back to fine form aboard the ZX-10RR in the dry, the Turkish racer earning his fourth podium of the year with second in the Superpole Race before following that up with an identical result in the more lucrative race two.

The continuation of a strong run of form for sophomore racer Razgatlioglu, who has notched up five podiums across the last four events to ascend into the overall top six, his second race mirrored that of his fight with Rea at Misano.

As he did on that occasion, Razgatlioglu swapped the lead with the Ulsterman more than once – usually with a pass under braking at the Melbourne Loop - but didn’t quite have a response in the final laps as Rea pulled clear.

“I tried to win but it wasn’t possible,” he said. “Johnny was strong today and I followed and in the last three laps I tried for a pass, but it was not possible. I am happy, again a podium.

“Corner 11 I was coming in fast, hard braking but exit ‘zero’ because always sliding so on the last lap. I tried different line because it was always sliding. Again podium, maybe next season – maybe next race – I will win! Good race, I passed a few times, but I am happy.”

Razgatlioglu's run of strong form has seen him move well clear of Independents' Championship rival Marco Melandri, now 29 points ahead.