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Magny-Cours WorldSBK: Razgatlioglu survives Davies clash to take win

The strongest tip for a maiden race win in recent WorldSBK history, Toprak Razgatlioglu, did it in race one at Magny-Cours, and from a remarkable grid spot of 16th passing reigning champion Jonathan Rea on the last lap.

Not bad for a 22-year-old, which is a young rider in WorldSBK terms, in a dry race that has been preceeded by only one rain-free practice.

“I think I had the right conditions in the race because in the wet I am not fast. Superpole qualifying was very bad in 16th position but I am a little happy because I saw in the afternoon it would be dry and I had one chance of the podium," said Razgatlioglu.

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"In the last two laps I felt it as possible to win, so I pushed. On the last lap I know that Johnny was fast in the first sectors, but in the next sectors I could come to him a little.

"On the last lap I pushed hard and took my first win. I am rally happy. Tomorrow? I do not know, but if it is dry again I will try to win.”

Razgatlioglu was not that worried that he was passing the potential world champion, Rea, on the same make of machinery, but he set about trying to pass as cleanly as he could. Maybe not like Donington.

“I tried to be more clear but after the front was sliding on my bike. It pushed and the bike came up so I opened the gas in the last two or three corners, and I pushed.

"In Donington I tried but Johnny was very fast in the first two sectors there. I tried (here) because it is my dream to for my first Superbike win and I will try again on Sunday if it is dry.”

Razgatlioglu’s countryman and mentor Kenan Sofuoglu was on site to see his protégé’s first victory, in a class that all-time best WorldSSP rider Kenan could not conquer, a WorldSBK machine.

Toprak said about doing something Sofuoglu had not, “Now we are happy. Normally Kenan said he thought it could be a podium I thought it could be a podium, and this morning I felt very good (he was fastest in FP3) and set a good lap time. But from 16th position it would not be easy because it was so close to the back.

"In the race Chaz touched me, and he crashed, and I am lucky. Normally Davies uses very hard braking but he was sliding, so we touch. In Turkey now there will be a big party. I feel like normal people. My dream was to take my first win and now I have done it I am happy.”

Davies reported an electronic glitch that caused his initial problem, but the cool head Razgatlioglu exhibited under pressure was still very impressive. And he really enjoyed crossing the line as a winner, having achieved such an ambition.

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“After I took the chequered flag I felt like I did in 2014, when I won the Stock600 race and I won, I remember it like this. Now I will call my mother and my brother is here. This is the first time my brother has come here, maybe the last time at a race in 2015, for Misano 600Stock championship.

"This is his first time to be at a race when I ride a Superbike. It was also the first win for Puccetti racing and I am very happy for them. Many now are like crying, as Superbike is not easy and this is the first win for Puccetti Racing. We are happy. No party for me tonight, just eat some dinner.”

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