World Superbike Catalunya, Spain - Superpole Race Results

Results from the Superpole race, round nine of the 2021 World Superbike Championship at Catalunya. 
Jonathan Rea, Catalunya WorldSBK, 17 September 2021
Jonathan Rea, Catalunya WorldSBK, 17 September 2021
© Gold and Goose

Jonathan Rea wins a red flag affected Catalunya WorldSBK Superpole race from Toprak Razgatlioglu. 

World Superbike Catalunya, Spain - Superpole Race Results
PosRiderNatTeamTime
1Jonathan ReaGBRKawasaki Racing Team5 Laps
2Toprak RazgatliogluTURPATA Yamaha+0.211s
3Alvaro BautistaSPATeam HRC+2.771s
4Alex LowesGBRKawasaki Racing Team+2.948s
5Michael RinaldiITAAruba.It Ducati+3.428s
6Axel BassaniITAMotocorsa Ducati+5.431s
7Leon HaslamGBRTeam HRC+5.729s
8Garrett GerloffUSAGRT Yamaha+5.814s
9Christophe PonssonFRAGil Yamaha+9.514s
10Leandro MercadoARGMIE Honda Racing+9.818s
11Samuele CavalieriSPABarni Ducati+10.767s
12Isaac VinalesSPAOrelac Racing Kawasaki+12.713s
13Jonas FolgerGERBenovo BMW+13.005s
14Loris CressonBELPedercini Kawasaki+14.513s
15Scott ReddingGBRAruba.It Ducati+19.893s
16Lachlan EpisAUSPedercini Kawasaki+28.773s
17Lucas MahiasFRAKawasaki PuccettiDNF
18Andrea LocatelliITAPATA YamahaDNF
19Kohta NozaneJPNGRT YamahaDNF
20Chaz DaviesGBRGoEleven DucatiDNF
21Tom SykesGBRMotorrad BMW WorldSBK TeamDNF
22Michael Van Der MarkNEDMotorrad BMW WorldSBK TeamDNF

After a drag race between Razgatlioglu and Rea down into turn one, it was the Yamaha rider last on the brakes while Scott Redding managed to separate the two title favorites. 

Rea wasn’t behind Redding for long though as he regained second spot at turn four. 

Pole sitter Tom Sykes was out of the race on lap one as team-mate Michael Van Der Mark crashed into the Brit.

On lap three, Rea attempted two moves for the lead, however, Razgatlioglu responded immediately to stay ahead.

A red flag then came out on lap three as Lucas Mahias and Chaz Davies crashed. Davies was most affected by the incident while Mahias returned to pit lane. 

The Ducati rider was seen being stretchered away, but was able to raise a hand and show consciousness.

When the race got underway for a second time, Razgatlioglu started from pole in what was a revised 5 lap sprint. 

Razgatlioglu and Rea made contact off the start before exchanging first place twice more on the opening lap. 

Rea then got the better of Razgatlioglu at turn nine which allowed Alvaro Bautista and Alex Lowes through. 

However, Razgatlioglu immediately got back ahead of Lowes at turn ten. Lowes ran slightly wide in the process which opened the door for Andrea Locatelli. 

But as Locatelli positioned himself to the inside, the two riders' racing lines crossed which led to Locatelli hitting the back of Lowes and crashing out. 

Redding had to take avoiding action and was relegated to last. At the front. Razgatlioglu got back ahead of Bautista before setting new lap records on the final two laps to close in on Rea. 

But the Yamaha man was unable to make an overtake as they finished 1-2. Bautista, who was passed by Lowes managed to regain third on the final lap.

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