Toprak Razgatlioglu needs more to fight with Nicolo Bulega
Today at 04:46 AM
After a podium in Race One, Toprak Razgatlioglu needs more from his setup for the two Sunday races.
Before the racing began Toprak Razgatlioglu had ruled himself out of the podium fight. However, he managed to claim a second-place finish during Race One at Phillip Island, a result that he claims he did not expect.
"I feel very good because finally, I have started smiling and I did not expect that from this race," Razgatlioglu admitted to WorldSBK.com.
"We did a very good job and thanks to my team because every session we improved the bike. Especially, at the beginning of the race, I was not strong, but in the second half after we changed the tyre I felt much better grip.
"I had a little bit better turning, maybe because the fuel level was lower, but in general we did a very good job."
Razgatlioglu has described his Race One result as 'perfect', but he is still confused by Ducati's early dominance after the new rule changes.
"In Superpole, when I followed Bulega, I did a very good lap time, but it was only one lap," he said.
"I was lucky because when I saw that Bulega was coming I immediately followed him. But for the race I finished in 2nd, which is perfect. It was my plan to follow Bulega, but when I started the race all the Ducati's passed me easily on the straight.
"I don't understand because the Ducati is still super strong on the straight. But the new rules did not cut any RPM and they are still fast on the straight.
"After I was trying to find the rhythm, but after we changed tyres I found the rhythm. I was riding more relaxed on the bike, but with every session, we improved the bike by very small steps."
Ahead of Sunday's races, Razgatlioglu knows he needs more to fight with Nicolo Bulega. But he believes that he will not be able to stick with the Italian.
"For the Superpole Race, I need a different setup because everyone will be pushing harder," Razgatlioglu explained.
"I hope we find something and start fighting with someone. Bulega is very strong at this circuit when he rides alone, maybe at the beginning of the race for two or three laps we can follow him. But after that, I am sure he will ride alone."
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