WorldSBK Argentina SP Race Results | Razgatlioglu wins but title down to wire

Toprak Razgatlioglu put another finger on the 2021 WorldSBK Championship title trophy with a second victory of the weekend at San Juan Villicum in Argentina, but third for Jonathan Rea means the title will go down to the wire in Indonesia next month.

The Turkish rider maintained his flawless form around the Andes Mountain backed circuit with a lights-to-flag victory that strengthens his advantage at the summit of the standings and on the cusp of peaking as World Champion.

Having enjoyed a sizeable advantage over Rea in Race 1, Razgatlioglu had to contend with Scott Redding for company this time around, the Ducati rider unable to make pole position count entirely but at least avoiding the pitfalls of the opening encounter when he fell at the first corner.

Keeping Razgatlioglu honest over the 10 lap sprint, Redding attempted to save his for the last lap but would ultimately settle for second position. Victory means Razgatlioglu has the honour of achieving Yamaha’s 350th WorldSBK podium. 

Rea, meanwhile, was again gulfed in third place, some three seconds off the front. Though it was enough to keep the title fight alive to the finale at the new Mandalika Circuit in Indonesia next month, the six-time World Champion is increasingly staring down the barrel of his first overall defeat since 2014 with a margin of 34 points splitting himself and Razgatlioglu.

Axel Bassani recovered from a poor start to work his way back to fourth position on the Motocorsa Racing Ducati, ahead of Michael van der Mark, the Dutchman - a race winner in the last Superpole Race at Portimao - prevailing in a swinging chasing pack to get the better of Andrea Locatelli and Garrett Gerloff.

Issues for Michael Ruben Rinaldi and Alex Lowes saw them slip back during the second-half of the race, even if they secured their spots on the front three rows for Race 2 in eighth and ninth.

2021 WorldSBK Argentina | San Juan Villicum | Superpole Race RESULTS