INDIA in F1

Category: WSBK

FIM Superbike World Championship, World SuperSport…

  • Bulega steals it on the line to share the spoils with Razgatlioglu: WorldSBK

    Bulega steals it on the line to share the spoils with Razgatlioglu: WorldSBK

    Most (Czech Republic), 18 May 2025: In front of a weekend attendance of over 55,000 Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) and Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) put on a show for the Czech fans at the Autodrom Most. The title contenders were separated by just 0.027s in Race 2 after a stunning 22 laps of Superbike action.

    Race 2 Highlights

    • Starting from pole position Razgatlioglu ceded the lead to Bulega who led for the first 11 laps. When the BMW took the lead at Turn 17 he was immediately attacked by Bulega into Turn 1 who proved his mettle and led for another lap before Razgatlioglu tried an unorthodox move at Turn 2
       
    • During the final laps of the race Razgatlioglu was under intense pressure from Bulega. The Italian rider was unable to attack until the very last moment. On Lap 22 he accelerated out of Turn 21 better than his rival and won the drag race to the line. It was Bulega’s eighth win of the season
       
    • Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) spent the first two third of the race behind Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) and then held his rival at bay for the second time today as they finished in third and fourth positions
       
    • Remy Gardner (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) and Axel Bassani (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) rounded out the top six after a race long battle that was settled in the Australian’s favour
       
    • Having started from fifth on the grid Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) was caught out by an incident with Jonathan Rea. The Yamaha rider was given a double long lap penalty for causing the crash that also saw Xavi Vierge (Honda HRC) removed from contention. Rea would go on to finish 13th

    Championship Highlights

    • Bulega leads the championship by 31 points having conceded just three points to Razgatlioglu over the course of the round
    • A hat-trick of podiums vaulted Petrucci to third in the standings. The Italian is five points ahead of Bautista
    • Ducati lead the standings by 58 points from BMW

    P1 – Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati)
    “It’s been a really up-and-down weekend. On Friday, I had a huge crash, and now we’ve finished with a victory in Race 2. It’s been an incredible weekend. We never gave up and the team improved the bike a lot throughout the weekend. The bike felt much better today and I was able to ride how I like to. I’m really happy, especially because this circuit isn’t one that suits my riding style. To get the win here after such a tough start means a lot. Now I hope to repeat this performance at Misano.”

    P2 – Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team)
    “At the beginning of the race, I was just following Nicolo. When I felt ready, I passed him and tried to do my rhythm. In the final laps, I had too much spin. It was bad on the exit of the last corner. I was losing a lot on the straight, especially compared to the Ducati. I gave more than 100% in all the races this weekend. I’m a bit angry because the bike started to cut power and I lost the win at the last corner. Still, we did a good job, so thanks to my team and all the fans.”

    P3 – Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team)
    “I really wanted to be on the podium again but it was tough because Sam was really fast. We had the same pace, but I told myself, ‘I want that podium.’ He made one small mistake and I was there to take advantage. Congratulations to him, and also to Nicolò and Toprak, because they’re doing an incredible job. I’m really happy with the work my crew is doing. It’s been a weekend of third place finishes for me but we’re in the fight, and I’m very happy.”

    Race 2 Results

    1. Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati)
    2. Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) +0.027s
    3. Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) +16.276s
    4. Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) 16.452s
    5. Remy Gardner (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) +20.703s
    6. Axel Bassani (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) +21.774s
    Fastest lap: Toprak Razgatlioglu (BMW) – 1’30.379s

    Championship standings

    1. Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) 252 points
    2. Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) 221
    3. Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) 146
    4. Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) 141
    5. Andrea Locatelli (Pata Maxus Yamaha) 127
    6. Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) 102

  • Toprak Razgatlioglu dominates at Autodrom Most: WorldSBK

    Toprak Razgatlioglu dominates at Autodrom Most: WorldSBK

    Most (Czech Republic), 17 May 2025: On a windy day at the Autodrom Most Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) claimed his fifth win of the season. The Turkish rider clawed five points back in the title chase against Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati).

    Race 1 Highlights

    • Starting from the middle of the front row Bulega claimed the lead on the opening lap and held Razgatlioglu at bay for the first four laps. Having attacked into Turn 1 the BMW rider then led for the remainder of the race
    • Razgatlioglu had to wait until half distance, lap 11 of 22, to open a gap of over a second and from that point onwards he controlled the gap to Bulega
    • Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) started third and rode a strong, consistent race to finish in the same position with a comfortable margin in hand to the riders behind
    • Alex Lowes (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) finished in fourth position after a race long battle with Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team). He was beaten to the line by Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) who made a last lap move into Turn 1 to take fifth position
    • Bautista started the race from the fourth row of the grid. He dropped to 16th position at one point following a first lap tangle that left Andrea Locatelli (Pata Maxus Yamaha) and Michael van der Mark (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) out of the race. The double World Champion made steady progress throughout to salvage his fifth place finish
    • Iker Lecuona continued his strong form of late with a seventh place finish for Honda HRC.

    P1 – Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team)
    “This was a very important victory because we started the weekend really strong. I’ve really missed this feeling. The wind was very strong today so at the beginning of the race I was trying to adapt my riding style but once I found my rhythm I had a fast pace. This win means a lot. We’ve improved the bike a lot but we still need more. We have two more races tomorrow and I hope we can win again.”

    P2 – Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati)
    “I tried to fight at the beginning. But when Toprak overtook me, I could understand after just a few corners that he had something extra today. I’m happy because second place is a very good result, especially after yesterday’s crash. It wasn’t easy to finish the race so I have to be happy and proud of what we achieved, both myself and the team.”

    P3 – Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team)
    “I tried to follow my strategy and hold onto third position because Nicolo and Toprak were a bit faster. They weren’t much faster but I was taking risks to stay with them. When I saw the gap behind me was increasing I decided to manage my pace. It wasn’t easy—this track has so many direction changes, and my back and arms were really suffering. This is a great podium for my team. I’m so happy, we’re working really well together, and this result is well deserved. Let’s see what we can do tomorrow.”

    Race 1 Results

    1. Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team)
    2. Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) +6.015s
    3. Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) +10.230s
    4. Alex Lowes (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) +14.814s
    5. Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) +15.520s
    6. Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) +16.053s
    Fastest lap: Toprak Razgatlioglu (BMW) – 1’31.109s – new lap record

    Tissot Superpole Results

    1. Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) 1’30.397s
    2. Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) +0.033s
    3. Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) +0.239s.

  • Kabilesh Triumphs at MalaysiaSBK: A New Indian Champion Rises

    Kabilesh Triumphs at MalaysiaSBK: A New Indian Champion Rises

    Sepang (Malaysia), Dec 15, 2024: Fourteen-year-old Indian sensation K.R. Kabilesh burst into the international spotlight at the Malaysia Superbike Championship (MSBK) finale on Sunday, claiming his maiden victory on the global stage. Competing in the MSBK 250B class, the youngster clinched two podium finishes, placing second in Race 1 before surging to a commanding win in Race 2 at the famed Sepang International Circuit.

    Though still in his early teens, Kabilesh’s journey has been anything but ordinary. He first turned heads in the Indian Mini GP races in Bengaluru back in 2022, running alongside none other than his father, multiple national champion Rajini Krishnan. Since starting out in the FIM MiniGP Indian Championship, the young rider steadily graduated to national-level racing before making his MSBK debut earlier this year aboard a Kawasaki Ninja 250R. By Round 3 in October, he was already a podium finisher. At the season finale, he lifted his performance even further. He is also the youngest rider to win in the MSBK.

    Race 1 saw Kabilesh seize the lead from the start, fending off a relentless challenge from Indonesian rider Rakha Bima Saktiansyah. Despite relinquishing the top spot on Lap 4, he remained in hot pursuit, ultimately crossing the line a razor-thin 0.014 seconds behind his rival, a clear indicator of the fight he was willing to bring.

    That narrow defeat only fueled his determination. In Race 2, Kabilesh delivered a stunning performance, building a four-second cushion over Saktiansyah that his competitor simply couldn’t overcome. The result capped a stellar rookie season, propelling Kabilesh to a fourth-place finish in the overall standings with a total of 81 points.

    For Kabilesh, racing is more than a passion. It’s in his DNA. His father, Rajini Krishnan, is an iconic figure in Indian motorsport, boasting 11 national titles, as well as the Losail Asian Champion (600cc) crown and MSBK championships. Kabilesh, following in those legendary footsteps, has already begun carving out his own legacy.

    “It’s rewarding to see my hard work pay off,” Kabilesh said after the race. “While other kids play, I’m out there travelling and racing. It’s a sacrifice, but today’s result makes it all worth it. This is just the beginning of a long, challenging road.”

    Caption: Eleven time National champion, Rajini Krishnan, left and India’s first rider in MotoGp, Sarath, who also coached the youngster, pose with Kabilesh after his win at Sepang on Sunday.

    The young rider was quick to credit the man who paved the way. “I am extremely thankful to my dad, Rajini Krishnan, without whom I wouldn’t be here. He’s my hero, my mentor, and my inspiration. I dedicate this win to him,” Kabilesh added.

    With talent forged on familiar tracks at home and now proven on the international stage, Kabilesh’s star is unmistakably on the rise—just like the racing dynasty he proudly represents.

  • Historic hattrick of wins for Johann; brother Geoffrey adds spice with 3 podiums: Qatar Superbike championship

    Historic hattrick of wins for Johann; brother Geoffrey adds spice with 3 podiums: Qatar Superbike championship

    Lusail, Qatar – 18 November 2024: Indian racing brothers Johann and Geoffrey Emmanuel marked a historic moment for Indian motorsport at the final races of the Qatar Superbike Championship, held at the Losail International Circuit (LIC). With Johann clinching three wins and Geoffrey earning 3 podium finishes, their performances exemplified India’s rising prominence on the international racing stage. The final races concluded here on Saturday. “It is a big kick to get victory on such a big stage and a bigger moment holding the Indian flag on the podium… it is a moment of pride and honour that I will cherish forever,” said Johann.

    Organised by the Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation (QMMF) and Lusail International Circuit (LIC), the championship provided a platform for the Indian drivers to showcase their superb skills and immense talent on the internationally-renowned Circuit. A total of 48 competitors participated in the fourth round. On Friday, riders and drivers completed their free practice and qualifying sessions and the postponed Race 2 of Round 1 in March 2024 due to rains was also held on Saturday.

    Johann Emmanuel on the podium. All photos by Christopher Rio Odukwe

    The postponed Round 1 of QSSP 300 Race witnessed intense competition for the top position on the podium as Johann Emmanuel emerged victorious with a time of 19 minutes 18.511 seconds, with Marton Bellelli claiming second place at 19 minutes 18.549 seconds, and Mahmoud Elbanna rounding out the podium at 19 minutes 18.847 seconds.

    Racing Legacy of the Emmanuel Family

    The Emmanuel brothers are the sons of legendary Indian rider Emmanuel Jebaraj, a 10-time National Champion (7 in circuit racing and three in Drag Nationals), winner of Malaysian races (7 years in Malaysia), and 18 years (1995 to 2012), currently mentor to numerous Indian racing stars. Jebaraj, with over 50 high-profile wins, is not only a celebrated rider but also a driving force in nurturing Indian talent through his roles with Gusto India Racing, Alpha Racing, and Red Hills KTM Racing. His contributions to Indian motorsport, including his role as race director for the first MotoGP World Championship in India, set the stage for his sons’ success. The Rossi and Schumy fan was also the mentor and selector for the first Indian Mini GP.

    Jebaraj: More than a dad, he is a friend and mentor, behind the screens (Courtesy Instagram)

    Stellar Performances at Lusail – the Report

    Collegian Johann Emmanuel from Chennai scripted history by becoming the first Indian to win all three races in the 300 SSP category of the Qatar Superbike and Superstock Championship over the Nov 16-17 weekend at the iconic Lusail International Circuit in Doha, Qatar.

    His elder brother 20-year-old Geoffrey Emmanuel, supported by Ceat Tyres, Sidvin, and the Sports Development Authorities of Tamil Nadu (SDAT), brought more cheer to the family by finishing on the podium in all three races in the 600cc category.

    It is the first instance of Indian brothers finishing on podium in all the races they participated in the same championship, though in different categories.

    Astride a Kawasaki Ninja 300, 18-year-old Johann Emmanuel, a 1st year Visual Communication student at the Madras Christian College, made a significant impact by winning all the three races on debut in his category.

    Though short on seat time, Johann qualified P2 which he converted into victory after a fierce battle. Later, in Race-2, the youngster kept his nerve despite losing a gear which dropped him to fifth but recovered brilliantly to post a win by a 14-second margin.

    In Race-3, it was a lights-to-flag win for Johann as he completed a historic hat-trick, sparing some 18 seconds to his nearest challenger.

    A delighted Johann said: “I really enjoyed the races. But the three wins – it’s a surreal feeling. My performance here has boosted my confidence for my future races.”

    Meanwhile, Geoffrey Emmanuel, a 3rd year BCA student at the Madras Christian College, exhibited remarkable resilience and skill riding a Kawasaki ZX6r, to earn three podium finishes in as many races.

    #17 Geoffrey Emmanuel in action at Lusail QatarStk600 races

    He finished third in Race-1 after starting from P11 on the grid as he fought his way through the pack for a podium. Later, he repeated the performance by finishing third in Race-2 which he started from P6.

    Geoffrey, who is confirmed to participate in the FIM Moto 2 Junior World Championship next year, fared better in Race-3 by finishing second despite being forced off the track into the gravel when in the lead on the last lap to complete a commendable performance over the weekend.

    Reflecting on the weekend, Geoffrey said: “Overall, I am pleased with my performance, though it was disappointing that I couldn’t win Race-3 when in the lead as I was forced on to the gravel but managed to get back for a P2 finish. These experiences will help me to prepare better for my future races.”

    Johann Emmanuel – Dominating Qatar 300SSP

    A debutant in the Qatar 300SSP Championship and a 1st-year Visual Communication student at Madras Christian College, Johann showcased his mettle by securing a hat trick of victories:

    • Qualifying: Despite limited practice, Johann claimed a strong second place on the grid.
    • Race 1: A fierce battle saw Johann clinch a narrow 0.38-second victory.
    • Race 2: Overcoming a gear mishap, Johann made a stunning comeback to win by a 14-second margin.
    • Race 3: Johann’s dominance was evident as he stormed to an 18-second victory.

    Geoffrey Emmanuel – Grit in the 600cc Category

    Geoffrey

    Geoffrey, a 3rd-year BCA student at Madras Christian College, demonstrated resilience in the 600cc category, supported by Ceat Tyres, Sidvin, and SDAT. Competing on an international stage, Geoffrey secured three podium finishes despite challenges:

    • Race 1: After starting 11th, Geoffrey fought back to secure 3rd place.
    • Race 2: A stronger start from 6th position saw him finish in 3rd place after an intense fight for the lead.
    • Race 3: Leading for most of the race, Geoffrey recovered from a gravel mishap on the final lap to finish 2nd.

    Growing talent pool of Indian motorsport

    The Emmanuel brothers’ success at the QSSP300 Championship adds to the growing talent pool of Indian motorsport riders. Their remarkable performances at Lusail, in one of the world’s most competitive racing arenas, promise an exciting journey ahead for Indian racing enthusiasts.

    As Johann and Geoffrey prepare for future challenges, it is hoped that their combination of skill, determination, and legacy will continue to bring laurels for India.

  • Toprak Razgatlioglu wins his second World Superbike championship, joins legends

    Toprak Razgatlioglu wins his second World Superbike championship, joins legends

    Jerez, 19 October 2024: Toprak Razgatlioglu has claimed the 2024 World Superbike Championship in his debut season with BMW, marking a historic milestone for both the rider and the manufacturer. The 2024 Champion secured the title at Jerez, where he once again proved to be the dominant force on the track.

    Throughout the season, Razgatlioglu consistently outpaced his competitors, amassing 17 victories and 25 podium finishes. This performance not only earned him the Championship but also solidified his place among the WorldSBK’s legends while establishing a formidable new partnership with BMW.

    Toprak Razgatlioglu began in the IDM Yamaha R6 Cup and Turkish Road Race 600cc Championship in 2011-2012. Moving to the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup, he secured a win at Sachsenring in 2014. Later that year, he debuted in the European Superstock 600 Championship with a win at Magny-Cours. Razgatlioglu joined WorldSBK full-time in 2015, claiming the Superstock 600 title in his first season. He competed in Superstock 1000 in 2016-2017, finishing second in his second year. In 2018, he debuted in WorldSBK with Kawasaki. Razgatlioglu won his first WorldSBK title with Yamaha in 2021, making history as the first Turkish rider to win the WorldSBK Championship. Joining BMW in 2024, Razgatlioglu further solidified his legacy by capturing his second WorldSBK title.

    By winning his second title, Toprak joins an elite club of multiple-title holders, including Alvaro Bautista, Jonathan Rea, Max Biaggi, Troy Bayliss, James Toseland, Troy Corser, Colin Edwards, Carl Fogarty, Doug Polen, and Fred Merkel. His historic victory also sees him become the first BMW rider to capture the WorldSBK title, further establishing his legacy in the Championship.

    Razgatlioglu’s dominance this season was particularly evident during the Pirelli Portuguese Round, where he set a new record with 15 consecutive victories. After a crash in Free Practice at the Motul French Round left him injured, Razgatlioglu was forced to miss two rounds. However, he returned stronger from the Aragon Round onward, securing six podium finishes and extending his lead to 46 points over his Italian rival, Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati), ahead of the ultimate round of the season. 

    Looking ahead, fans can anticipate an exciting conclusion to the 2024 season, with the last two races of 2024 still to be contested. There’s no doubt that the newly crowned WorldSBK Champion will aim to continue his dominance and finish the season on a high note. Razgatlioglu will formally receive his trophy during the prestigious Prize Giving Ceremony, scheduled for Sunday evening at the Prometeon Spanish Round.

    Toprak Razgatlioglu, ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team:

    “What does it like to be the World Champion? Right now, I have no stress and I’m not excited. For me, the season is finished. We have two more races tomorrow, but I’m just going to enjoy them and race without any stress. It’s been a long season. Nobody believed in me or BMW at the start but now everyone understands that we are the World Champions. This is a team effort because everyone worked hard and tried to improve in every race. Finally, we are World Champions and it’s incredible. BMW has never won the title before. I’ve got my second title and BMW has their first World Championship title. I’ll be using the number one next season because BMW deserves it after their first title.”

    Rider info

    Place of birth: Alanya, Turkey
    Age: 28 (born 16 October 1996)
    Team: ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team
    Bike: BMW M 1000 RR

    First Race: Australia 2018
    Wins: 56
    Podium places: 140
    Pole positions: 18
    World Titles: 2 (2021 Yamaha YZF-R1) (2024 BMW M1000RR).

  • Toprak Razgatlioglu takes 8th win in a row: WorldSBK

    Toprak Razgatlioglu takes 8th win in a row: WorldSBK

    Race 1 Highlights

    • Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) made it eight wins in a row after dominating the 22 lap race. With a winning margin of over five seconds it was a comfortable success for the Turkish star who now leads the championship by 56 points from Bulega
       
    • From the second row of the grid Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) came through to finish second. The Italian matched his career best performance in the Superbike class and claimed his second podium of the season
       
    • Having opted for the harder front tyre, Iannone rounded out the podium positions. The Italian dropped from second position to fourth position at one third distance but made his way back to the podium
       
    • Having started from the second row of the grid Bulega also opted for the harder front tyre. He had a difficult race and ended in sixth position but held on to second position in the championship standings
       
    • Having suffered a grid penalty, Bautista spent the majority of the race in sixth position before making progress in the final seven laps. He first picked off his teammate Bulega on Lap 14 and then Remy Gardner (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) with four laps remaining.

    Tissot Superpole Highlights

    • Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) smashed the lap record during the 15 minute Superpole session. His time, 1’30.064, left him comfortably on pole position for the fourth time this season
       
    • A third front row of the season was Andrea Iannone’s reward for a superb effort in Superpole. The Team GoEleven rider matched his best qualifying performance of the season in second position
       
    • A three place grid penalty dropped Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) to tenth position for Race 1. The double World Champion ended Superpole 0.953s slower than Razgatlioglu. His teammate, Nicolo Bulega, qualified off the front row of the grid for the first time in 2024.

    Key Points:

    Pole position: Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team)
    Race 1 winner: Toprak Razgatlioglu
    Race fastest lap: Toprak Razgatlioglu 1’31.540s.

    P1 | Toprak Razgatlioglu | ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team
    “I’m happy. We have won again and we had an amazing lap time in the Superpole session. I pushed a lot on the first lap and then I just found my rhythm. I had a very good pace in the race but during the the last five laps the front was closing, especially on the left corner. After last year, when I crashed at corner two, it’s an incredible win. I want to say thanks to my team because we did an incredible job today! We have two more races tomorrow, and that’s my focus now.”

    P2 | Danilo Petrucci | Barni Spark Racing Team
    “I’m really happy. I said that we could fight for the podium but when you are in the race you have to fight really hard to get that podium. At the beginning, I had a bit of trouble but then I saw that Nicolo and Andrea were a bit slower going into the corners and I tried to go ahead of them. Andrea gave me a hard time until the end. I know him very well and on the last lap it is always special with him! I tried to close the doors on that lap. I can’t believe I’m here after my motocross accident and now I’m again on the podium! I want to say thanks to everyone who helped me and we’ll try again tomorrow!”

    P3 | Andrea Iannone | Team GoEleven
    “I’m really happy about today because we recovered a lot from yesterday. After FP1, we were 15th in the classification. My team believed in me and I want to thank them for believing we can achieve a great result today. It was a really difficult race because the temperature was really high. With Danilo in front it made it difficult for my tyre temperature and it wasn’t easy in the braking points for corners. Danilo rode faster than me today, Toprak was unbelievable but I didn’t give up and I tried my best. We’ll try a little more tomorrow!”

  • Historic debut at WorldSBK by an Indian: Kavin Quintal roped in by Gaman Racing

    Historic debut at WorldSBK by an Indian: Kavin Quintal roped in by Gaman Racing

    Chennai, 18 July 2024: Indian rider Kavin Quintal is all set to make a historic debut at WorldSBK SSP300 competitions to become the first Indian rider to participate in a World Superbike Championship. Thanks to the opportunity provided by the Irish team, ‘Team#109 Retro Traffic Kawasaki’ and its management company, Gaman Racing Global Service, Kavin’s entry is accepted for the SSP event in the fourth round which begins at Most, Czech Republic on Friday.

    The 19-year Chennai star, Kavin Quintal, will be filling in for the Irish team’s main rider, Spaniard Daniel Mogeda, who suffered an injury after leading the Supersport 300 class, in an unfortunate crash that paved the way for the Irish team to rope in Kavin Quintal.

    Kavin, a world-class rider, is currently competing in the European Stock Championship within the FIM JuniorGP and in the Asia Road Racing Championship. In the three rounds of JuniorGP, Kavin had a top-10 finish. As a rider who started his baby steps at 13, he was the youngest rider to earn points in the Indian National events. He went on to win the Talent Cup twice in 2021 and 2023 in India. Later, after Asia Talent Cup events, he soon blossomed into a mature rider moving to Europe. He will be looking for his best results in this ‘magnificent opportunity’, as the Indian described it.

    Kavin Quintal: ‘It is a great opportunity that I will try to learn and enjoy at the same time. I will be able to show my maximum level together with a great team that surrounds this structure. I would like to thank the team for this opportunity’.

    Paul Tobin, Team Manager 109: ‘I would like to welcome Kavin to the team for the weekend toreplace Daniel. Kavin Quintal has good experience in the Asia Talent Cup and in the Stock 600 in the FIM JuniorGP. We are very happy to have the first Indian rider into the World Championships’.

    The practice sessions will be on Friday followed a race each on Saturday and Sunday at Most, Czech Republic.

  • Herrera just pips Carrasco to the WorldWCR Race 2 win

    Herrera just pips Carrasco to the WorldWCR Race 2 win

    16 July 2024
    Race 2 Highlights:
     Maria Herrera (Klint Forward Factory Team) and Sunday’s Race 1 victor Ana Carrasco (Evan Bros Racing Yamaha Team) proved to be in a league of their own in Race 2 at Donington Park, with Herrera securing her third win in four races, just two tenths of a second ahead of a very combative Carrasco
     From second on the grid, Herrera made a lightning start to take an early lead ahead of Carrasco. Soon breaking away from their closest rivals, the pair crossed the finish line almost twelve seconds ahead of the rest of the field
     Fellow Spaniards Sara Sanchez (511 Terra&Vita Racing Team) and Beatriz Neila (Ampito / Pata Prometeon Yamaha) were embroiled in an exciting battle of their own for third, a duel that was ultimately won by Sara, with Beatriz closing just a fraction behind in fourth
     Israeli rider Ran Yochay (511 Terra&Vita Racing Team) and Australian Tayla Relph (Tayco Motorsport) both brought home solid points after crossing the line P5 and P6 respectively
     Chun Mei Liu (WT Racing Team Taiwan) sustained a back injury after a lap two crash and has been transported to Queen’s Medical Centre for further assessment. Mallory Dobbs (Sekhmet Motorcycle Racing Team) also failed to finish after crashing on lap five, while Yamaha Motoxracing WCR team-mates Roberta Ponziani and Ornella Ongaro both went down at turn 11 on lap seven
     Britain’s Alyssia Whitmore (Sekhmet Motorcycle Racing Team) was ruled unfit to compete in Race 2 after sustaining a left wrist contusion in Saturday’s Race 1
     The third round of the WorldWCR championship is scheduled to take place over the weekend of 9-11 August at the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve in Portugal
     Championship Standings:Now with 88 points, Herrera retains the championship lead, followed closely by Race 1 winner Carrasco (81)
     Sanchez (68) and Neila (57) place third and fourth in the standings, with both having worked hard to boost their tally this weekend
     Key Points:

    Race 1 winner:     Ana Carrasco (Evan Bros Racing Yamaha Team)
    Race 2 winner: Maria Herrera (Klint Forward Factory Team)
    Race fastest lap: Ana Carrasco (Evan Bros Racing Yamaha Team) – 1’39.209 (Race 2)More on worldsbk.com
    P1 | Maria Herrera | Klint Forward Factory Team
    “I felt confident that we could do well today. I was fast in warm-up and knew that I had to push right from the start of the race to build a gap. Ana followed me but I knew I was going to be able to battle until the end as I felt comfortable and strong on the brakes. I was pretty angry about the Race 1 result, to be honest, as I knew I had the potential to finish at least P2 but lost ground when I had to brake to avoid Beatriz when she made a mistake. So  honestly I set out to make up for that result today, aware that I needed to break away from the pack early on to avoid any risky situations.”
     
    P2 | Ana Carrasco | Evan Bros Racing Yamaha Team
    “I’m really happy with my weekend and it was difficult to ask for more. I wanted the win in Race 2 and did my best but lost a little time on the first lap with Beatriz, which meant I then had to push to reach Maria, who was really fast in the beginning. I eventually caught her and got in front but in the end, she got the better of me when I ran wide. But we’ve had a good weekend, scoring pole, a race win and the fastest lap in Race 2 so this is a positive result. I felt really good and now it will be important to continue in this way, as I know Maria and I will battle like this all season long. We’re really close in the championship right now and so we need to continue working to be ready for the next round at Portimao.”
     
    P3 | Sara Sanchez | 511 Terra&Vita Racing Team
    “Ana and Maria had more than us today; I did my best to stick with them through the early stages, but it was not possible, their pace was simply stronger. I lost ground when Neila passed me, and it was hard to close that gap once it opened up in front of us. I was also struggling a little with corner entry in some places. But the important thing is to be on the podium, and we were able to secure third again today, so we’re pleased with that.”
  • Perfect weekend for dominant Razgatlioglu at Donington Park

    Perfect weekend for dominant Razgatlioglu at Donington Park

    • Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) dominated the UK Round of WorldSBK with pole position, three victories and three fastest laps at Donington Park
       
    • Razgatlioglu extends his championship lead to 41 points from Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) with Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) a further 14 points adrift.

    Tissot Superpole Race Highlights:

    • Bulega took the hole-shot and led the opening two laps before Razgatlioglu came through to lead at Turn 11
       
    • Razgatlioglu opened his lead consistently to take the victory by just under five second from Bulega
       
    • Starting from the middle of the third row Jonathan Rea (Pata Prometeon Yamaha) was able to move into third position on the opening lap. With riders fighting behind him Rea opened a lead over the chasing pack and after 14 races was able to claim his first Yamaha podium
       
    • After suffering a technical failure in Race 1 Scott Redding (Bonovo Action BMW) claimed his first top five finish of the season in fourth position. Redding ran inside the top six throughout before moving past Andrea Locatelli (Pata Prometeon Yamaha) and Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) as the race progressed to finish fourth

    Race 2 highlights: 

    • A crash for Bautista on his way to the grid for Race 2 saw the Ducati team repair his bike on the grid. Despite a good start he dropped down the order from sixth position on the grid. The Spaniard recovered to finish fifth
       
    • Razgatlioglu led for the 23 lap duration of Race 2 with the BMW rider able to claim his seventh consecutive victory. The win also marked his ninth for BMW and equalled the record of Marco Melandri as the most successful rider for the German manufacturer
       
    • Bulega was the closest challenger to Razgatlioglu throughout the race and held an advantage of two seconds to the chasing pack for much of the race. It was Bulega’s eighth second place finish of the season
       
    • Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) was the leading British rider once again and finished third after battling with Redding for the opening third of the race

    Key Points:

    Pole position: Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) 1’24.629s
    Race 1 winner: Toprak Razgatlioglu 
    Tissot Superpole winner: Toprak Razgatlioglu 
    Race 2 winner: Toprak Razgatlioglu 
    Race fastest lap: Toprak Razgatlioglu – 1’25.597s – new lap record.

    P1| Toprak Razgatlioglu | ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team
    “I’m feeling incredible. My target coming here was to win all three races and we did that. I’m strong but my bike was also incredible at this circuit, and the team found improvements for the bike each day. I want to say thank you to everyone because I’m really happy about how this weekend went. We will see what happens in the next race but even though there are many races to go we can look to the World Championship title.”
     

    P2 | Nicolo Bulega| Aruba.it Racing – Ducati
    “I’m really happy because we improved the bike from yesterday. I worked a lot with all my guys inside the garage and we found some improvements. The feeling on the bike was better and it was a great Superpole Race this morning. I started really well and then Toprak overtook me. When he overtook me I forgot about him because this weekend he was very fast. In Race 2 I understood that if I could follow Toprak during the first laps I could open a gap to the riders behind. Alex was very fast at the end and he pushed until the last lap. It’s very difficult to keep your concentration and stay on the bike until the last corner, but I’m really happy to have another podium.”
     

    P3 | Alex Lowes | Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK
    “I’m delighted. I was on the limit for the whole race. I didn’t make the best start and I had to attack from the first lap to pass Johnny and Alvaro and then I managed to pass Scott. I hoped that Nicolo would come back to me a little bit, but his pace was relentless. I was on my limit to stay in third and I couldn’t do any more. I wanted to try to get into second but I wasn’t fast enough. I did a good job this weekend and the team did a fantastic job. I really enjoyed the weekend. To have two podiums at my home round is a dream come true with everybody here.”

  • Razgatlioglu and Bautista share honours at the Cathedral: WorldSBK

    Razgatlioglu and Bautista share honours at the Cathedral: WorldSBK

    Assen, 21 April 2024: Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) and Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) shared the spoils on Sunday in Assen. In the ten lap Tissot Superpole Race Bautista led the field home after a stunning comeback ride saw him come through the field to take the lead from Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) on the penultimate lap.

    Starting from pole position, Bautista led the majority of the first half of Race 2 but with spots of rain in the air the field closed up. Razgatlioglu choose this as his moment to pounce but with Bautista retaking the lead before Remy Gardner (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) and Andrea Locatelli (Pata Prometeon Yamaha) mixed it in.

    The Turkish moved into the lead for the final six laps but was under pressure throughout the closing stages. Bautista would finish less than a second behind the race winner with Gardner able to claim his first career podium. Andrea Iannone (Team GoEleven) finished in fourth position ahead of Locatelli.

    When WorldSBK returns to action there will be just six points separating Bautista and Razgatlioglu with Bulega a further eight points adrift after a difficult weekend. The Italian finished Race 2 in eighth position.

    P1 | Toprak Razgatlioglu  | ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team
    “Grid position isn’t important because it’s the race that matters. I enjoyed this race. At the start there was a bit of rain. I stayed close just to watch the guys and understand what to do. I needed a good pace and I passed people step by step and finally I was in the lead! We made a mistake in the Superpole Race with the tyre so I used the SC0 tyre in the afternoon and it worked well. I want to say thanks to my team’s hard work this weekend because finally we have won in Assen! I’ve never won here before and also for BMW they hadn’t won here. I’m very happy today!”

    P2 | Alvaro Bautista | Aruba.it Racing – Ducati
    “I’m really happy with how the whole weekend has been. To finish all three races on the podium in these conditions is a pleasure. Race 1 was really tricky and I enjoyed the Superpole Race a lot. There was some light rain in the afternoon and it was a bit difficult. I tried to keep a little bit of margin and I think second position was good. I’m really happy and we are building my confidence with the bike.”

    P3 | Remy Gardner | GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team
    “It’s been two years without a podium for me so yeah I’ve definitely had some really hard times. Obviously, everyone knows my GP story and then we didn’t get a podium last year when I moved to WorldSBK. It’s been a big challenge for me and I just want to say thank you to my girlfriend and my team and everyone that has believed in me. Finally it’s so good to be back on the podium again and I can’t wait to go to the next race already.”

    WorldSBK Race 2 Results

    1. Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team)
    2. Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) +0.625s
    3. Remy Gardner (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) +1.022
    4. Andrea Iannone (Team GoEleven) +3.120s
    5. Andrea Locatelli (Pata Prometeon Yamaha) +3.217s
    6. Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) +5.174

    Championship Standings

    1. Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) 123 points
    2. Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team)  117 points
    3. Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) 109 points

    WorldSBK Tissot Superpole Race Results

    1. Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati)
    2. Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) +2.686s
    3. Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) +7.403s
    4. Remy Gardner (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) +7.551s
    5. Jonathan Rea (Pata Prometeon Yamaha) +8.177s
    6. Andrea Locatelli (Pata Prometeon Yamaha) +9.114s