Toprak Razgatlioglu took his 16th win of the 2024 World Superbike Championship in Race 1 at the Estoril World Superbike roun🐬d, winning b🅰y nine seconds.

Razgatlioglu took an alternative tyre choice compared to the norm on the grid. He chose the SღC0 tyre, while the majority went for the softer SCX tyre.

This discrepancy saw Razgatlioglu go backwards at the start, but get stronger after a fe𓆏w laps.

“The race was really difficult,” Razgatlioglu told WorldSBK.com after his nine-second win. “We didn’t know what the weather would do, it’s been a bit strange♓ and, also, we used a different tyre.

“All ri🌸ders used the soft [SCX] tyre, I used the standard SC0.

“My pace was very strong. At the beginning of the race, I’m just waiting and wat﷽ching. I’m not pushing immediately but started to build slowly. I did a good job and I’m very ♈happy.”

Improvements are needed for tomorrow, Razgatlioglu insisted, for some꧃ specific corners and also fo🃏r tyre life.

“At the end of the race, I felt like there was a little bit of tyre drop,” he🍃 said.

“I need to improve my bike because I wasn’t happy at some ♏corners. Maybe we’ll use the soft tyre because I tried it for the raceඣ, it felt like a Q tyre; after using the SC0, the grip is completely different.

“This would’ve been a gamble for me because I didn’t know the tyre life, I used the SC0 because I know it. Tomorrow, the weather is much better, looks like it’ll be warmer, so I’ll use ไthe soft one.”

With his vicꦗtory and Nicolo Bulega finishing in second place, Razgatlioglu needs to extend his points lead by 18 in Sunday’s two races in order to be crowned champion.

“I don’t know if, tomorrow, I win the race and Bulega finis♏hes second, I’m not champion. I’m not thinking a🍎bout this.

“I’m just focused on the champion♛ship finishing at Jerez and enjoying the race. My tꦜarget is three wins this weekend and I’m here for this.”