Toprak Razgatlioglu’s finger injury picked up this winter🎶 had forced him out of the Jerez WorldSBK test; returning to the track at Portimao this week he continued to find himself in difficulty with it.

Of the two days in Portimao, Tuesday had been the better one for Razgatlioglu, but his injured ജindex finger had highlighted itself as a continuing problem.

“[On Tuesday] we did a good job,” he said. “We tried the new bike, and new parts. I finished the day but felt pain. Sti🌳ll the finger is not 100%.

“I have time before Phillip Island. I will 🍷go to the physio. I am trying to move my finger more.

“But in general, I🌄 am on the bike and🎉 I’m riding like before.

“I use 💯my middle finger on the brake. I always two fingers, I use the middle finger a lot.

“The balance is not b꧃ad. I adapt. If I feel my finger getting better, I will ride more relaxed.

“When I come to a right corner I don’t push hard, because if I crash, I know my hand will touch the ground. I am scared for tꦑhis.

“But we didn’t crash, we did a good job.

“I am pushing slowly, not immediately. I hope we will improve my finger and, at Phillip Isla♉nd, I am 100%. This is my tarꦯget now.”

In comparison to Tue𓆉sday, Razgatlioglu’s running was, as for almost everyone, heavily limited by intermittent rain in the morning that got♋ heavier in the afternoon.

“When I started, we had technical problems,” Razgatlioglu said. “I did two laps because I felt the traction con🀅trol a lot.

“I came back to the garage, then the rain started. I waꩵs waiting for the weather.

“🍎When we saw a dry circuit we started again but I did two laps, then the day finished.

“I am not riding in t꧟he wet conditions. ♑My finger is not 100% so if I crash in the wet, it is dangerous for me.

“We did four laps, it is nothing!

“Normally we♛ hav♑e a plan but we didn’t ride with rhythm.”

Phillip Island “isn’t my style”

Setting his si🎉ghts on Australia – the location for the final test of the winter as well as the opening round – Razgatlioglu was cautious: aiming to win, but aware of his limitations on a layout such as P♌hillip Island’s.

“I need to try the special rear grip,” Razgatliogl⛎u said.

“There, there is a problem with the rear tyre, they are⛦ destroyed. We need more tyre life and a good set-up.

“The track has not ma൲ny slow corners. It isn’t my style.

“I am always trying to improve my bike and change my style. I will try𒀰 to do my best.

“My target is to win th♍e first race. Be🅠cause now I am using the #1 and my biggest target is to win at Phillip Island. Then, if possible, at Cremona.

“It’s important to start the season strong.

“Now, I am not th💝inking about my finger. It’s 💎getting better. I am riding the bike like before.

“I need to impr🌊ove𓆏 a bit, I am still scared a bit. But at Phillip Island my finger should be okay.”