WorldSBK Estoril Preview: Can Rea, Razgatlioglu bounce back?

Following an exciting opening round in Aragon, Assen played host to one of the most drama-filled WorldSBK weekends we’ve seen in a long time. 

Jonathan Rea and Toprak Razgatlioglu coming-together in race two led to both riders crashing out, which in-turn handed Alvaro Bautista the chance to claim his third win of the season. 

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So what does that mean for Estoril which makes its third appearance in as many years on the Superbike calendar? 

Here are the top five storylines to follow…

Will Honda continue to be best of the rest? 

Iker Lecuona’s podium in race two at Assen was just Honda’s fourth since the Japanese manufacturer returned to WorldSBK as a full factory outfit. 

And while the 2022 rookie was fortuitous given the events that unfolded between Rea and Razgatlioglu at the front, it’s a result that highlights the impressive pace he’s shown throughout testing and round one. 

Lecuona has been both fast and consistent, the latter was a major problem during his time in MotoGP, but with Honda and its 2022 CBR1000RR-R having made significant improvements compared to 2020 and 21, Lecuona fighting for top five results in Estoril would not be a surprise despite this weekend marking his first-ever visit to the Portuguese circuit. 

Can Redding, BMW find pace after Portimao test? 

Without doubt the biggest disappointment of the season so far, Redding together with BMW has proved to be a combination that’s well off the pace. 

Just one point was scored in Aragon, and although Assen was much better, Redding was still a long way from the podium. 

Race runs along with improving the base setting were at the forefront of Redding’s testing plan earlier this week, which comes after the team spent considerable time reducing how much power was available to Redding aboard his M 1000 RR. 

Estoril marks a venue that’s been both kind and frustrating for Redding - took victory in race one last season, before crashing out in race two following a lengthy battle with Rea. 

Bautista ‘very charged up’ as he leads the championship for the second time

Would Bautista have won race two in Assen without contact between Rea and Razgatlioglu? That’s a question we’ll never know the answer to, however, what is for definite is that Bautista leads the championship standings by 18 points. 

While some feared that Bautista might never find the form of 2019 again after his return to Ducati was announced, those concerns are no longer valid after winning three of the first six races. 

Speaking ahead of the weekend, Bautista said: "We are all very charged up for this race. After the round in the Netherlands, where the feeling with the bike was really excellent, there is a great desire to get back on track and try to get that feeling back right away. 

"The Estoril circuit is a bit of a special track: lots of very demanding braking areas, several stop and go corners, and a long last corner. 

"I've done some good results in the past even though I've never ridden on this circuit with the Ducati. As always we'll try to get the most out of every race." 

Expect Rea and Razgatlioglu’s dominance at Estoril to continue 

Rea and Razgatlioglu have combined for four of the last six race wins in Estoril - Razgatlioglu won twice in 2020 as did Rea in 2021, and although Bautista has proved to be equally as fast this season, the layout at Estoril is one that typically suits the hard-barking styles of Rea and Razgatlioglu.

Neither the 2020 or 21 race weekend saw Rea and Razgatlioglu go head-to-head for victory, however, that should change this weekend, especially as Razgatlioglu is still winless so far this season. 

"It is a very cool circuit and I enjoy the layout," Rea said. "I have had really good memories from there, especially in 2020. Winning my sixth WorldSBK title there was an incredible feeling. 

"To be honest, that weekend I really didn’t ride so well as we had some difficulties, but in 2021 we were much better. We were able to get really good results and be competitive. 

"We were able to understand how to exploit our Ninja ZX-10RR there. Of course, this year we will turn up with a better machine. In the first couple of races of the season I felt very strong on the bike and very consistent. 

"This weekend it will be very important to keep the ball rolling. Aside from a DNF in Race Two at Assen we have not been off the podium, or even out of the top two, which shows our strength."

Will Razgatlioglu and Rea take a different approach to how they race one-another? 

Despite numerous battles in 2021, some of which included contact, Assen was the first real sign of both riders not wanting to give an inch to the other. 

The relationship between Rea and Razgatlioglu has always been a strong one, something WorldSBK was lauded for last season as it proved to be extremely competitive but fair.

But will that change going forward?

Add the fact Bautista is also in the title conversation, not losing points to one-another is going to be crucial with every passing round. 

In nature, both Rea and Razgatlioglu are very aggressive riders, so expecting them to change is unlikely, but seeing how they approach their first on-track battle since Assen will tell us a lot about how the rest of 2022 will play out.