WorldSBK Barcelona Race 1 Results | Redding back on top after Razgatlioglu DNF

Scott Redding has given his flagging WorldSBK Championship title hopes a significant boost with a timely return to winning ways in tricky conditions at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.

With changeable conditions leading to a delayed start and an ever-evolving track, Redding worked his way into contention towards the latter half of the race, eventually leading home a Ducati 1-2-3 that included an inspired effort from privateer Axel Bassani in second and Michael Ruben Rinaldi on the sister factory Panigale V4 R in third..

In the context of the primary title fighters, however, there was drama when Toprak Razgatlioglu was forced to retire with a technical issue while leading on his Yamaha R1. 

As such, though Jonathan Rea could only manage a fourth place finish as his early strong form faded in the closing stages, he has moved back into the series lead by 13 points.

With slippery conditions around the Spanish venue throwing a curve ball into an already tension-filled WorldSBK title fight, Razgatlioglu and Rea showed few nerves in the early laps as they traded the lead.

Rea held the lead initiative for the opening half of the race, leaving Razgatlioglu to get better acquainted with Bassani, the Italian demonstrating his status as one of the seasons’s unsung heroes aboard the Motocorsa Ducati with a stellar showing from the off.

Their dice eventually brought them back to Rea up front, with Razgatlioglu breaking away to pounce for the lead on lap 11 at Turn 4.

However, the Turk’s afternoon would come to a soggy end when his R1 - resplendent in its 60th Anniversary retro livery - developed problems coming around Turn 3 with five laps to go, forcing him out of the race.

Rea couldn’t capitalise though, being swallowed up by an Armada of Ducati power in the drying conditions, first by Bassani on lap 12 - who assumed the lead with Razgatlioglu’s exit - before Redding and Rinaldi swept by too.

With momentum on his side, Redding quickly latched onto Bassani before slipping past his stablemate with three laps remaining, crossing the line for his fifth WorldSBK win of the year, one that keeps him in the distant title hunt, 52 points shy of Rea.

Bassani completed his and Motocorsa’s best-ever WorldSBK result in second, with Rinaldi making it a Ducati day to remember in third position.

Behind Rea, Michael van der Mark flew the flag for BMW from Alex Lowes on the second of the factory Kawasakis, ahead of fellow Brits Leon Haslam and Tom Sykes. Alvaro Bautista and Chaz Davies completed the top ten. 

Meanwhile, Garrett Gerloff failed to make the start when he slid off on the sighting lap

2021 WorldSBK Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya | Superpole Race 1 RESULTS