After scoring seven podiums in nine races, Sara Sanchez (511 Terra&Vita Racing Team) achieved her first WorldWCR race win today, just snatching victory from championship leader Ana Carrasco (Evan Bros Racing Yamaha Team) across the line in a WorldWCR race 2 that didn’t disappoint.

Determined to recoup valuable championship points, Maria Herrera (Klint Forward Factory Team) moved straight into the lead when the race began, with polesitter Sara Sanchez hot on her heels. With the pair soon joined by Carrasco and Beatriz Neila (Ampito / Pata Prometeon Yamaha), it was this quartet of riders who took turns out front, exchanging places through almost every corner of this 12-lap showdown.

As Sanchez celebrated her maiden win, Carrasco and Herrera joined her on the rostrum, able to console themselves with another solid podium finish.

Having banked another 45 points this weekend, Ana is the Estoril round’s highest points scorer. Earning a tenth consecutive podium today, the Spaniard now holds an 18-point lead in the championship standings over Herrera, with one round left to run.

Third in Saturday’s Race 1, a tenacious Neila ran with the frontrunners from start to finish today, missing out on third by just 0.146 of a second to finish P4.

Also deserving of an honourable mention today are Italian Roberta Ponziani (Yamaha Motoxracing WCR Team), who ran with the frontrunners early on before ably managing the second half of the race to secure P5, and Pakita Ruiz (PS Racing Team 46+1) who ran a consistent albeit rather solitary race to conclude sixth.

American Mallory Dobbs (Sekhmet Motorcycle Racing Team), Mexican Astrid Madrigal (ITALIKA Racing FIMLA), Chilean Isis Carreno (AD78 FIM Latinoamerica by Team GP3) and Czech rider Adela Ourednickova (DaftMotoracing by Smrz) all boosted their respective points tallies by rounding out the top ten.

Lap 4 brought an unfortunate crash for Tayla Relph (Tayco Motorsport) while she was lying sixth and pushing to reach the frontrunners.

A difficult weekend for Jessica Howden (Team Trasimeno) ended prematurely after she crashed on lap 7.

Emily Bondi (YART Zelos Black Knights Team) served a long lap penalty in today’s race after receiving a sanction for irresponsible riding in Saturday’s Race 1. Chun Mei Liu (WT Racing Team Taiwan) was unfit to compete in Race 2 after a crash in Race 1.

With three riders still in with a shot at the championship title, the WorldWCR season finale will play out over the weekend of 18-20 October at the Jerez Circuit in Spain. With one round left to run, Carrasco (208 points) now holds an 18-point lead in the standings.
Herrera (190) and Sanchez (166) are the only riders still in with a mathematical chance of challenging Ana for the title at Jerez. Neila (136) and Ponziani (109) round out the top five.

The second race of the day for The MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship got underway on Sunday afternoon as the riders faced a 21-lap race at the 4-kilometre Estoril Circuit. Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) had a flying start to the race as he took the hole shot into the first corner ahead of Andrea Locatelli (Pata Prometeon Yamaha) and Superpole Race winner Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati). Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) had a poor start at lights out, falling to fifth position behind Yamaha rider Jonathan Rea (Pata Prometeon Yamaha).

MACKENZIE, LOWES OUT: Riders crash in early stages

Misfortune for British riders Tarran Mackenzie (PETRONAS MIE Racing Honda) and Sam Lowes (ELF Marc VDS Racing Team) struck during the opening stages of the Portuguese race, with both riders falling out of contention within the first 4 laps. But all eyes were on Championship leader, Razgatlioglu who recovered back into a podium position on lap 4, and once again proved his dominance as he displayed impressive overtakes to move into second and then first position ahead of Bautista on lap 7.

DUCATI DUO: Bautista and Bulega chase #54

Stablemates Bulega and Bautista exchanged positions as the #54 Turkish rider increased his lead at two thirds race distance, but it was Bulega who eventually took the reins into second and led the pair as they hunted down the lading BMW rider. Further back in the field, Garrett Gerloff (Bonovo Action BMW Despite) was forced to retire from his race after facing mechanical issues and despite impressive form in their Estoril weekends, Race 2 ended in disappointment for riders Iker Lecuona (Team HRC) who crashed out of contention from fourth place, and #55 Locatelli, who also ended his race in the gravel.

PETRUCCI WINS INDEPENDENT RIDERS’ TITLE: #9 claims 2024 honours

Out in front, an unstoppable Razgatlioglu wheelied across the finish line with an outstanding five second lead, as Bulega led #1 Bautista to complete the Portugal rostrum. Jonathan Rea missed out on a podium spot in third, whilst an exciting race battle between Michael van der Mark (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) and Xavi Vierge (Team HRC) resulted in the riders taking fifth and sixth positions. The Barni Spark Racing Team had reason to celebrate today as Danilo Petrucci won the Independent Riders’ title, crossing the line in seventh ahead of fellow Italian Andrea Iannone (Team GoEleven) who completed the top 8. The Championship winner will now be crowned in next week’s final round as the paddock heads to Jerez, but will it be Razgatlioglu or Bulega who rides to glory in Spain?

The top six from WorldSBK Race 2:

1. Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team)
2. Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) +3.866s
3. Álvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) +3.998s
4. Jonathan Rea (Pata Prometeon Yamaha) +12.005s
5. Michael van der Mark (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) +15.209s
6. Xavi Vierge (Team HRC) +15.792s

Fastest lap: Toprak Razgatlioglu, BMW – 1’36.802s

Championship standings:

1. Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) 473 points
2. Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) 427
3. Álvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) 356
4. Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) 291
5. Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) 285
6. Michael van der Mark (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) 215

The MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship delivered a thrilling 10-lap race at the Circuito Estoril on Sunday morning, as the riders took to the track under perfect racing conditions. Starting from pole position was Race 1 winner Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) who led the field from lights out, as Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) chased down the Turkish rider into Turn 1, whilst Andrea Locatelli (Pata Prometeon Yamaha) and Jonathan Rea (Pata Prometeon Yamaha) battled for a top three position.

EARLY FIGHTS: a chaotic start to the 10-lap dash

Championship contender Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) was outside of the front pack in the early stages of the Superpole Race, and at the front, spectators witnessed close racing between Razgatlioglu, Petrucci, Rea and Locatelli as they displayed an exciting battle for the lead. Fresh from Saturday’s Race 1 win though, the #54 was determined to repeat his success, managing to gap his rivals and take a confident lead as the race began to settle.

HUNTING RIVALS DOWN: Bulega makes early gains

With the Championship title at stake, 24-year-old Bulega, increased his race pace in an effort to catch the leading group, and with eight laps of race distance remaining, overtook into second position, hunting down title rival Razgatlioglu whilst Yamaha’s Locatelli dualled with Petrucci for a potential rostrum finish. Despite a strong race start for Rea, he fell out of contention as he suffered a slow crash into Turn 10 with 6 laps remaining, making way for Spaniard Xavi Vierge (Team HRC) and Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) to move up the rankings.

CLOSEST EVER FINISH: 0.003s separate Bulega and Razgatlioglu

Finding some late race place was Ducati rider Bautista, who moved into third ahead of Locatelli and #9 Petrucci as the Superpole Race entered the closing stages. Stable mate to the #1; Bulega, also found some impressive speed, managing to close the gap on Razgatlioglu as the WorldSBK riders entered into the final lap. The race was to be decided on the final straight to the chequered line though, as Bulega entered the slipstream of #54, and stunned spectators as he claimed the win with just 0.003 seconds between the two. #11 also achieved a new race lap record of 1’36.178, as he shares the podium with Razgatiloglu for the 7th time this season.

REDDING 10TH: British rider completes top 10

Bautista improved on his performance from Race 1, achieving his 17th podium of the year as he claimed third place, whilst Locatelli led Petrucci over the line to take fourth and fifth. Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) was close on their tails in sixth, as Vierge and Race 1 podium finisher Iker Lecuona (Team HRC) took seventh and eighth. Italian Andrea Iannone (Team GoEleven) just pipped #45 rider Scott Redding (Bonovo Action BMW) to the chequered flag as they rounded of the top 10 in the Superpole Race.

The top nine from the Tissot Superpole Race:

1. Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati)
2. Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) +0.003s
3. Álvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) +4.253s
4. Andrea Locatelli (Pata Prometeon Yamaha) +5.623s
5. Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) +7.161s
6. Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) +7.192s
7. Xavi Vierge (Team HRC) +8.157s
8. Iker Lecuona (Team HRC) +9.672s
9. Andrea Iannone (Team GoEleven) +11.822s

Fastest lap: Nicolo Bulega, Ducati – 1’36.178s (new race lap record)

The first of the Estoril weekend’s WorldWCR races was another nailbiter, with championship leader Ana Carrasco (Evan Bros Racing Yamaha Team) and title contender Maria Herrera (Klint Forward Factory Team) battling tooth and nail for victory in a race that began in the dry only to conclude in pouring rain.

Herrera’s performance was particularly noteworthy considering she was forced to start the race from the back of the grid due to a technical issue. A lightning start and extremely impressive pace meant the Spaniard was back into the top three in the space of two laps.

Although the race began in dry conditions, rain returned with a vengeance with just five laps to go, the race red flagged on lap 8. Victory ultimately went to Carrasco, separated by just 0.082 of a second from Herrera. Snatching her fourth win of the season, Carrasco is the only rider to have reached the podium in every race held so far.

An impressive Beatriz Neila (Ampito / Pata Prometeon Yamaha) stuck close to the two frontrunners, crossing the line just 0.17 of a second from race winner Ana to secure her second podium of the season.

Sara Sanchez (511 Terra&Vita Racing Team) did well to finish fourth. Deemed responsible for causing the Cremona incident that saw both herself and Herrera crash out while fighting for victory, Sanchez was required to serve a long lap penalty during this first race at Estoril, nevertheless placing inside the top five.

Having proved at ease in full wet conditions, Australian Tayla Ralph (TAYCO Motorsport) followed up her recent Cremona podium with a solid fifth-place finish at Estoril today.

Pakita Ruiz (PS Racing Team 46+1) and Roberta Ponziani (Yamaha Motoxracing WCR Team) closed within a second of each other to place P6 and P7 respectively, while Mallory Dobbs (Sekhmet Motorcycle Racing Team), Mexican rider Astrid Madrigal (ITALIKA Racing FIMLA) and Adela Ourednickova (DaftMotoracing by Smrz) rounded out the top ten.

Spain’s Sanchez will be the Race 2 polesitter on Sunday after setting the fastest lap time in Race 1. Sara will be joined on the front row by Neila and Herrera, with Carrasco taking the fourth spot.

18 laps of The FIM Supersport World Championship Race 1 unfolded at the Estoril Circuit in Portugal on Saturday afternoon, and dry weather greeted the paddock following a day of wet Free Practice Sessions on Friday. Yari Montella (Barni Spark Racing Team) was dominant from lights out, as he led Championship leader Adrian Huertas (Aruba.it Racing) and title rival Stefano Manzi (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing) into Turn 1.

MONTELLA UNSTOPPABLE: Italian leads from lights out

Early crashes for Spain’s Jorge Navarro (Orelac Racing VerdNatura) and #71 Tom Edwards on Lap 1 cut short their first race of the weekend. Chasing down the front trio was Frenchman Valentin Debise (Evan Bros. WorldSSP Yamaha Team) with Lucas Mahias (GMT94 Yamaha) close on his tail. The paddock was unable to challenge the Italian #55 rider, who displayed strong race pace throughout, and the other rostrum positions also remained uninterrupted with Huertas and Manzi riding comfortable races in second and third, with Montella’s victory securing Ducati a second consecutive Manufacturers’ Championship.

DRAMA FOR DEBISE: two crashes for the Frenchman

Outside of the podium places, Debise and Mahias provided plenty of close racing action for the Portuguese spectators as they battled for fourth position. The #53 Yamaha rider showcased some impressive late race pace during the closing stages at the Estoril circuit as he made a significant gain towards a podium spot. His speed provided too much however, as he crashed at turn 1 with only four laps remaining. Despite returning to his bike and back into a points position, he once again ended up in the gravel with two laps to go and retiring from the race.

SUCCESS FOR TEN KATE RACING: wrapping up the Teams’ Championship

Ten Kate Racing celebrated Race 1 of the penultimate Championship weekend as they won the Teams’ Championship award, whilst Ducati claimed the all-important manufacturer’s championship, their second in a row. With his Race 1 win and outstanding last lap record time of 1’40.266, Montella claims his eighth win, equaling Sam Lowes at the 12th-all time spot. Standing on the second step of the rostrum, #99 Huertas achieved his 16th podium alongside title rival Manzi who also claims his 16th podium position of the year.

JUST OFF THE PODIUM: Mahias leads Caricasulo

Just missing out on a top three finish was Lucas Mahias, who led Federico Caricasulo (Motozoo ME AIR Racing) and Germany’s Marcel Schroetter (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) across the line to complete the top six. The pressure is now ramping up as the paddock looks ahead to Race 2 on Sunday afternoon. The FIM Supersport World Championship is all to play for as just 50 points separate the top three riders; Huertas, Montella and Manzi.

The top six from WorldSSP Race 1:

1. Yari Montella (Barni Spark Racing Team)
2. Adrián Huertas (Aruba.it Racing WorldSSP Team) +1.321s
3. Stefano Manzi (Pata Yamaha Ten Kate Racing) +5.391s
4. Lucas Mahias (GMT94 Yamaha) +17.164s
5. Federico Caricasulo (Motozoo ME AIR Racing) +22.548s
6. Marcel Schroetter (MV Agusta Reparto Corse) +22.603s

Fastest lap: Yari Montella, Ducati – 1’40.266s

The race action in The MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship got underway on Saturday afternoon, as twenty-four riders lined up onto the gird for the 21-lap race. Despite a pole position start, Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) was unable to hold onto first at lights out, as Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) claimed the hole shot into Turn 1of Italian rider Andrea Locatelli (Pata Prometeon Yamaha) who had a rocket start off the line. Toprak followed through in third position on the opening lap, but it was the Yamaha bikes that were strong from the outset as Jonathan Rea (Pata Prometeon Yamaha) overtook the title leader into third.

#54 CLEARS FIELD: Toprak wins with 9 second gap

Locatelli demonstrated his early race pace as he took the lead from Petrucci on lap 2, whilst further back, stable mates Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) and Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) battled for fifth. It was a four-way fight for the podium spots out in front as Locatelli, Petrucci, Razgatlioglu and Rea exchanged positions. Bulega ran wide out onto the circuit with 19 laps remaining, falling to eighth position, and undoing his work earlier in the race.

BULEGA RECOVERS: 8th to 2nd

With 17 laps race distance remaining, Razgatlioglu made his move into first place ahead of the #55, whilst Bautista rode into third ahead of Petrucci and Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK). Bautista demonstrated some strong race pace, with spectators hoping a battle for first with the #54 may unfold, however the BMW rider responded to the pressure, managing to gap the field as the race progressed. Meanwhile Ducati’s Bulega made his way back up through the pack, chasing Locatelli for a podium position.

PETRUCCI, BAUTISTA, LOCATELLI, GARDNER OUT: Riders crash out of contention

An early race crash for Australian Remy Gardner (GYTR GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Team) resulted in the rider being declared unfit due to a left wrist fracture. A crash at Turn 7, on Lap 7 for #9 Petrucci ended his streak of 12 races in the top five, and there was more drama as four laps later Bautista low sided on the entry to turn 9, meaning his Championship hopes are no more. His teammate, Bulega moved into second shortly before Locatelli took a fall out of his rostrum position with 7 laps to go.

55 WINS FOR TOPRAK: BMW take first win in Estoril

It was Razgatlioglu who stormed to victory at the Portuguese track, as Bulega held onto second, whilst an impressive ride from Iker Lecuona (Team HRC) put Honda back on the podium, the first time since Mandalika last year. British rider Alex Lowes secured fourth place ahead of Jonathan Rea (Pata Prometeon Yamaha) and Garrett Gerloff (Bonovo Action BMW) who rounded off the top 6. The afternoon’s Race 1 witnessed the first race with five different manufacturers in the top 5 since last year.

The top six from WorldSBK Race 1, full results here:

1. Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team)
2. Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) +9.221s
3. Iker Lecuona (Team HRC) +11.020s
4. Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK +11.973s
5. Jonathan Rea (Pata Prometeon Yamaha) +14.018s
6. Garrett Gerloff (Bonovo Action BMW) +17.727s

Fastest lap: Toprak Razgatlioglu, BMW – 1’37.149s