SBK PORTUGAL RACE 2 2024
SBK PORTUGAL 2024 FULL RACE 2
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00:00Need only score five points to take the title to the final round that would have been unthinkable last time
00:04We came to Portugal in August when Toprak was 92 points clear
00:09Alex Raby and Steve English for race two of the Estoril round. Razgatlioglu certainly a cool customer
00:15He's not going to let the pressure get to him
00:16But the longer Bulliger can keep this season alive the more chances there are for misfortune for Toprak and frankly
00:22That is what it's going to take because Toprak can now afford to finish fourth in all remaining races and take this title
00:28Yeah, exactly. And for Bulliger, it's about trying to just keep those championship hopes alive at this stage
00:33Just to be able to make their way down in towards turn one
00:36Just looking at the riders as they make their way around here everyone out there on the X rear tire as well
00:42So Toprak yesterday opted for the harder rear tire. He's just gone with the norm now for this race
00:46Is that something of a surprise given how well he went yesterday and his advantage at the end?
00:50Not really just because we've got that stage now where there's more rubber down after a day's running and everyone is gonna make a step
00:57Forward Toprak just opting to go with what everyone else is comfortable with
01:00But certainly if he had have opted for the zero tire, you wouldn't have been too surprised
01:04Yes
01:05We've had dry conditions and I think that's the most important because it was wet at the start of the weekend and obviously
01:10We've been talking about low grip conditions throughout the round also with 35 degrees track temperature now compared to 28 degrees yesterday
01:17The hotter that the track gets here in WorldSBK with these Pirelli tires the softer you end up going
01:21So sometimes you have a lower track temperature where you're in that middle ground. That's why Toprak opted to be a little cautious
01:28Perfect weather for the fans as well for those who've turned out for us today because well
01:33These are ideal weather conditions for tourism as much as anything
01:36Yeah
01:37we're up in amongst them here in our commentary box position on the start finish straight in the grandstands and
01:42It's been good to be able to see so many fans in from different areas
01:44Well, we bumped into quite a few different nationalities here this weekend
01:48One of my favorite corners on the track there that turn nine where we've seen Jonathan Ray make his way
01:53Through and make some of his moves. He'll be coming back from 10th position here
01:56Former race winner, of course at the Estoril round. It's a great racetrack. It always seems to provide good racing
02:02Obviously we ended up with the closest finish we've ever had in WorldSBK and the Superpole race this morning
02:07But all the different contrasts around here make a big difference to bringing everyone together
02:12All the bikes can work well in different ways around this track. Riders pulling into line
02:15Let's take you through the championship standings then Toprak Razgatlioglu is on
02:20448 points 41 points ahead of Niccolo Bulliger
02:24He really needs Bulliger to have a retirement in order for the championship to be settled before we go to Jerez next weekend
02:30Just six days until we're going racing and that's the more likely race in which we'll see the world champion crowns
02:35Yeah, you could see the sense of excitement though in the BMW pit box knowing that this is their first chance to win the world
02:40championship
02:432024 World Championship on the line race number two of the Estoril round
02:48Bautista with a flying start
02:50And it's outright Bautista who'll lead them to turn one and Razgatlioglu's made a stinker
02:54Bautista hits the front Locatelli through for second Bulliger up into third position ahead of Toprak Razgatlioglu still
03:00That's the key as far as he is concerned. Although Toprak then makes his move coming through the kink towards turn two
03:06This is Andrea Iannone further back down the order as they go side-by-side with Jonathan Wray bundling through now on Danilo Petrucci for fifth position
03:13Bulliger responds against Razgatlioglu and through for third
03:16So it's Bautista from Locatelli from Bulliger from Razgatlioglu from Wray and side-by-side behind that as well
03:22We know that Danilo Petrucci is up ahead
03:24But that is a move on Alex Lowe from Xavi Vieja
03:27I think for seventh position as Jonathan Wray now attacks Toprak Razgatlioglu and Toprak moves across the block
03:33Yeah, tenth to fifth for Jonathan Wray here on the opening lap. So really good stuff
03:37He's just through and Toprak as well for fourth. Brilliant opportunistic move there from Jonathan Wray keeping the tighter line
03:43They now drop down the hill towards turn seven
03:45It's Jonathan Wray up in fourth position ahead of Toprak Razgatlioglu. Bautista with a real opportunity here
03:50It's pretty rare in WorldSBK these days that you see him hit the field on lap number one
03:54Yeah, for Bautista opening laps have been the big struggle all the way through this season
03:58Look at how they've all compressed together through the chicane
04:01Bautista looked a little bit sluggish going in towards turn at number nine where of course he got into trouble yesterday
04:06He's not comfortable turning the bike in those cut areas of the track right now
04:09The reason for that is with the heavy fuel load the fresh tires
04:11This is where he struggled all the way through the season just having those quick changes of direction
04:15The bike just doesn't have that agility for him at this stage of the race. It'll be Locatelli
04:19He'll be at risk though on the start finish straight for second position
04:22And in fact Bolliger's already through as they come past that geometry position in towards that turn at number one
04:27Razgatlioglu trying to get back on terms with Jonathan Wray, Locatelli last of the late breakers as he has been all weekend long
04:33But even he is gonna find it hot tough to hold on to that second place
04:36He's done so for the moment. Good work from Andrea Locatelli. He's deep breaking into turn one. He's so good on the break point
04:41You see Gianni Vierge down the inside of Danilo Petrucci
04:45Petrucci then barges him back out of the way and that's opened the door to Ikelekuoda to come through and challenge the pair of them
04:51He's on the outside now of Danilo Petrucci
04:53This is the race for sixth position the Hondas once again giving a good account of themselves
04:57But the top five are breaking away and top-ranked Razgatlioglu is starting to feel his way back into the race now
05:02Big big wobble there as he made his way through but Jonathan Wray still defending that fourth place
05:08Bulliger just running in ever so slightly hot into turn six, but it's double apex left hander
05:12You're able to collect that and still carry your momentum through there. So Razgatlioglu hunting down Jonathan Wray
05:18He's at the back of the group for the moment in fifth position
05:20We're riding on board with Niccolo Bulliger watching back at the two former champions
05:24Dicing things out for the moment the longer this race goes on the better
05:28Bautista is going to feel at the head of the field
05:30Can he stay at the head of the field though for the next few laps?
05:33That's the key for him. Outside foot off the peg for Johnny as he came down in towards turn eight and turn nine
05:37He's pushing as hard as he can obviously enough
05:39But it's this part of the track where he struggles and he's so vulnerable and top-ranked should be able to use that power of the BMW to come past
05:45Having Locatelli behind him is actually doing Bautista a favor at the moment because most of the way around the track
05:50It's tough to pass Locatelli
05:52But then Bautista is able to stretch his advantage down the start-finish straight over 900 meters to run towards turn one
05:57Bulliger up alongside Locatelli once again. Is Locker deep enough in the brakes into turn one this time around?
06:03No, he's not and that's two Yamaha's getting mugged into turn one
06:06Bulliger's through on Locatelli and Rascatlioglou's through on Ray up into fourth position now the championship leader
06:11Both Locker and Ray though made it as difficult as they could for their rivals to come through
06:15And still hanging on in there in this
06:17podium group for the moment at least Locatelli in third and Ray in fifth and now it's up to Ducati in first and second positions
06:23To decide how they manage this situation
06:25Is there an opportunity to allow Bulliger to go away now at the head of the field and for Bautista to back up the pack
06:31With Rascatlioglou behind them in fourth place
06:34We're watching Bautista and Bulliger we heard on the grid from Ducati they have discussed the situation with their riders
06:41They have told them not to get in one another's way and at the moment
06:44There is an opportunity for Bulliger to go faster than he can tucked up behind Alvaro Bautista
06:49And for Bautista, he needs to make sure Bulliger is able to come through
06:52Bautista no chance of winning the world championship pretty much guaranteed that third in the championship standings and for Bulliger
06:57He needs to be able to open up a gap to Rascatlioglou behind them
06:59Well Bautista is gonna want the race win, but Bulliger is gonna be desperate for the race win
07:04You can see again that change of direction. It's just not flowing right now for Alvaro Bautista even though he's leading this race
07:09That's what's allowing that everyone else to close up on him
07:12So for Bulliger he needs to make a move then to start finish straight and have that confidence into turn one
07:16Just like he did on Locatelli a lap ago
07:18Important that Bulliger puts bikes between himself and Rascatlioglou because Toprak is gonna be through very quickly here on Andrea Locatelli as they
07:24Come on to the start finish straight to begin at lap four
07:27It's Bautista versus Bulliger at the head of the field. Here goes Rascatlioglou on Locatelli
07:31Bulliger not close enough to challenge Bautista into turn one
07:34Locatelli working as hard as he can into that first man
07:37But Toprak is through nonetheless and back onto the tail of the Aruba IT Ducatis ahead of him
07:42Yeah, ex-teammates last year and for Toprak
07:44He knew he had to come through at that stage
07:45So difficult for Locatelli to try and defend those positions
07:48Pace not as sharp at the head of the field as it could be. Ikelekuona the fastest of the leaders last time around
07:53He sits in sixth. Turn 12 crash there for Sam Lowe's
07:56That's where he crashed on Friday in the wet conditions as well
07:59But able to bounce up pretty easily from that one
08:01But he'll move on to Jerez in six days and try and finish the season off with decent races
08:06Half a second now between Bautista in first and Rascatlioglou in third and the first
08:10Opportunity that Toprak has really had to strike on Niccolo Bulliger only two-tenths of a second behind him
08:15So it's Bautista from Bulliger from Rascatlioglou
08:17A little bit of daylight opening up now to Andrea Locatelli in in fourth position
08:21Then it's Ray and Ikelekuona still charging hard
08:24Yeah, don't sleep on that corner in this group as well because the top speed of the Honda is good
08:28He's now got a bike and a package underneath him that allows him to be aggressive all the way through the races
08:32Bulliger having to go slightly defensive there slightly tighter line knowing that Toprak Rascatlioglou might attack into turn nine
08:38Compromises exit can Rascatlioglou make his move down the start-finish straight where we know how Niccolo Bulliger was strong coming off this final turn
08:46Turn 13 the Parabolica at the end of the Superpole race earlier on today
08:50Can he go after an attack Alvaro Bautista now?
08:52As predicted the three riders from the podium in the Superpole race this morning those who were on the front row of the grid for
08:58Race two this afternoon are the ones going for the race victory in race two
09:02Alvaro Bautista at the head of the field, Bulliger in second, Rascatlioglou third, then the two Yamaha's coming under increasing pressure from Ikelekuona
09:10Rascatlioglou with a new fastest lap of the race into the 1 minute 36s for the first time in this race now as he bridges the gap to Niccolo Bulliger
09:17136.974 for Toprak, so fractionally faster than Bautista and Bulliger ahead of him
09:22A lot of action in the group behind as well
09:24Ian One, a couple of laps ago lost a lot of spots, Alex Lowes dropped all the way down to 20th position as well
09:28Garrett Gorloff's just lost five seconds last time around, he's dropped down the order as well
09:32So all of these riders just trying to give themselves a chance of scoring points in front of the field
09:37Though Toprak in a position to attack
09:39As they make their way in towards turn six on lap five, Toprak not quite close enough at this time unless Bulliger makes an error
09:45But he is absolutely nose-to-tail with Bulliger ahead of him now, two fights in one because there's a race for fourth position
09:51Locatelli, Ray and Lecuona as well, dropping down the hill into turn seven
09:55Rasgatlioglu makes his move on Bulliger and is through for second place
09:59Toprak's got a bike though that in these shorter corners really is able to turn well
10:03Bulliger will attack straight back, but he can't get there, Rasgatlioglu is through, Bautista now may well hold back Rasgatlioglu
10:10But will it be for long enough for Bulliger to respond?
10:12It's really important for Rasgatlioglu to get the bike to work well in that last corner
10:16That's where he struggled in the Superpole race compared to Bulliger beating on the run for lane
10:20His bike is changing direction very well in the slower corners
10:24Not so much once you're on the angle like this all the way around
10:26He just seems to get pushed wide a little bit through this section
10:29But in the middle of the lap, Toprak is very strong
10:31Lecuona through on Ray, you can see that at the background of the shot
10:33Bulliger attacking back on Rasgatlioglu who we know will be deep on the brakes in towards turn one and is able to hold station
10:40So a change of position for fifth, Lecuona through there and now he's after Andrea Locatelli for fourth position
10:46Yeah, for Toprak here though in second position
10:47He needs to make sure he's able to
10:49Really have a good run from this point through to turn six and be able to try and set something up down in towards turn seven again
10:55Garrett Gerloff retiring from race two of the Estoril round
10:59Unfortunate for him after his strong recent run or form looks like a technical problem that caused him to drop right away back through
11:05The field and now he pulls out at the side of the circuit lap six and it's Bautista, Rasgatlioglu and Bulliger your new order
11:12The longer Bautista stays at the front the better chance he has of beating Rasgatlioglu here
11:17For Toprak, let's see if he's able to hold his line through this section. Bautista just running wide in that early section of track
11:23It's gonna open a door for Rasgatlioglu
11:25Maybe into seven but probably down in towards turn nine and Toprak almost tripping over Bautista as they make their way through turn seven
11:31Where he passed Niccolo Bulliger a lap ago
11:33Next opportunity is to set up a jab down the inside into turn nine
11:37Bautista has moved far enough to cover that one and Toprak will just build his momentum between now and the end of a lap
11:42Bautista is holding him back
11:43But Niccolo Bulliger is not gaining on Rasgatlioglu, lost a few tenths of a second last lap around on lap five
11:49Alvaro just doesn't have that confidence on the change of direction
11:51He's doing a very good job to keep himself at the front of the field
11:54But so often he's having to just try and use that extra bit of the racetrack
11:58He's trying to stack the bike up a little bit earlier than Toprak is able to carry that lean a little bit longer and for
12:04Bautista it's about staying in front, Toprak with a shake of the head as they head down the start-finish straight
12:08Shake of the head in frustration as they come off that turn 13 where he was passed by Niccolo Bulliger at the end of the
12:13Superpole race and where Alvaro Bautista just extended that margin far enough to break away ever so slightly from Rasgatlioglu behind
12:20Yeah, Bautista there with a big wheelie on the exit of turn one
12:23Just trying to get the bike
12:23Stood up as early as he can and use as much that power as he can. The exit of the next left-hander is the key
12:28Thing as well because you can see for Rasgatlioglu
12:30He'll use a little bit more of the track. Bautista's having to go defensive on the entry
12:34But on the exit of the corner Bautista's gonna have his bike upright, Toprak's still gonna be driving wide
12:38And Rasgatlioglu almost alongside Bautista as they make their way through turn five
12:43No real overtaking opportunity there
12:44But he has set himself up for an attack into turn six
12:48Bautista holds the position for the moment
12:50But he goes deep and Rasgatlioglu has the tighter line and Toprak Rasgatlioglu leads race two here in Estoril
12:56How quickly can Bautista answer back? Well, not into turn seven. That's for sure. Rasgatlioglu made his pass on Bulliger through there
13:03He's now up ahead of Bautista as well
13:04He's picked off both of the Aruba.it Ducatis to lead on lap seven
13:08Yeah, that move was set up very early from turn four for Toprak and able to get himself into position to attack into six
13:14Bautista runs in a little bit harder, Toprak can take advantage of it
13:17Just a quick word on the riders further back because they were new personal best lap set on lap six from Locatelli and Ray
13:22Locatelli almost matching the pace of Niccolo Bulliger up ahead of him
13:25So he's consolidated fourth against Lekwuna and each time we've seen Jonathan Ray
13:29He's still right on the tail of the Honda man for fifth position as well
13:32So another good race in prospect here for the Yamaha's compared to their recent dire run of form into lap eight for Rasgatlioglu
13:39New fastest lap of the race one minute thirty six point eight zero two three tenths of a second now his margin to Alvaro Bautista
13:45At six tenths of a second crucially to Niccolo Bulliger in third
13:49Needs to come through now on his teammate Bautista the gap out to six tenths of a second
13:54If Toprak has another clear lap at the front that gap will stretch to well over a second
13:58Here's the move then on Alvaro Bautista. Yeah for Toprak
14:00Trying to get himself there in the inside of six
14:02It's good from Bautista to try and break as deep as he can
14:05Problem is you just can't get that bike stopped whenever he breaks that late and it leaves a pretty open
14:09Opportunity there for Toprak to hold tight line come through the fact that he went out and he set the fastest lap ratios
14:15It didn't cost him any time. These are nerves as well in the BMW pit box
14:18particularly when Toprak's alongside Ducati riders or he's got to try and make passes because
14:23Contact a drama between Rasgatlioglu and Bautista could potentially hand a big chunk of points to Bulliger
14:28Yeah, and that's the thing for Bautista. You can see there another wheelie on the exit of six
14:32He's pushing as hard as he can
14:34He just doesn't have the confidence in that bike the same as his teammate Bulliger and Rasgatlioglu's gone and Bulliger is already eight tenths of a
14:40Second behind the race leader and as good as he was in the Superpole race to make back the ground
14:45Very different set of circumstances here and it's quite clear that Bulliger is being held up by Bautista
14:49And this is where Ducati probably should get involved now
14:52Didn't need the board to go out to say to let him through because otherwise
14:55You're 50 points down in the championship going into the final round 62 points on offer
14:59There's no margin for error for Bulliger
15:01These four points matter
15:02the problem for Ducati is that their best chance in the second half of the race might well be Bautista coming back at
15:07Rasgatlioglu as the fuel load begins to come down and Bautista finds his comfort on the bike
15:11Bulliger into the slipstream with Bautista running down the start finish straight and in towards turn one, but he's not close enough
15:18Bulliger's annoyed by this as well. You saw him shake his head as he came down the pit straight
15:21That's as much for the team as it is for his own sense of frustration
15:25But the problem with it is Bautista is very strong through that last corner
15:28It's so often in the past we've seen Bautista make the bike
15:31Difficult around the rest of the lap just to set the bike up for one specific corner
15:35That might well be the way that he's tried to set the bike up for this race
15:38But it's just so difficult for him everywhere else. He's having to be defensive
15:41He's having to take those tight lines on the entry corners just to make sure that no one's able to get down the inside
15:46Well, this is not how Ducati envisaged this race going
15:50They got their riders both of them up ahead of top-rack Razgatlioglu
15:53And I wonder whether Ducati have already missed the boat here
15:55Was there an opportunity right at the start when Razgatlioglu was in fourth and it was
15:59Bautista leading Bulliger to allow Bulliger to go away and force Razgatlioglu to try and pass the bikes
16:04This is the best opportunity Bulliger has had into turn seven on lap nine. He finally gets clear of Alvaro Bautista
16:11So Niccolo Bulliger up into second place and where is Andrea Locatelli?
16:16Looks like Inca Lecuona has come through for fourth position and Jonathan Wray up ahead as well
16:21And there it is confirmed on your screen Andrea Locatelli is out of race two in Estoril
16:25And he's walking away with the wings of his Yamaha all one there
16:29It's unfortunate for Locke. He's been so competitive all the way through this weekend, but two crashes didn't beat Colette races
16:34Riding on board with Niccolo Bulliger then. At last he has Daylight in front of him
16:38But the cap is already up at 1.4 seconds
16:40And this is going to be very very difficult now for Niccolo Bulliger to recover against top-ranked Razgatlioglu
16:46Another couple of tenths of a second lost on that lap making his way through on Alvaro Bautista
16:50Who still sits in third when he finished in the Superpump race remember this morning?
16:53Inca Lecuona 1.7 seconds back in fourth six tenths of a second down on him Jonathan Wray still hanging right on in there in fifth place
17:00Yeah, Lecuona still got a chance the podium here against Bautista as well
17:03Their pace is pretty similar to one another but Lecuona's got a lot of confidence at the end of the races as well
17:08He'll just try and chip away at that gap to P3
17:11You don't think that Bautista is going to be pretty optimistic for the second half of this race as well
17:14I know that at the moment he doesn't look totally confident on the bike, but 1.6 seconds in hand over Lecuona
17:19He should be confident
17:21But for Bautista the way that that bike looks doesn't look like it's an easy bike to ride at this stage even compared to what we
17:26Normally see Bautista like in the early stages of races. This just looks a little bit more difficult for him
17:31Well, now a couple of tenths of a second made up on Bautista in that second sector
17:35Bolliger with a massive moment and he was pushing as hard as he could to hunt down the 1.4 second gap to top-ranked
17:41Razgatlioglu, we're shortly gonna find... Oh, it's Ikka Lecuona from fourth position
17:46He was gaining ground on the podium sitters, Alvaro Bautista in third position and we were questioning whether Bautista might be vulnerable
17:52Instead it's Lecuona who crashes out of race two. Real disappointment after an otherwise excellent weekend that's seen Honda back on the podium
17:59So Bautista's got the rider behind him crashed out and the rider in front of him right in his
18:04View once again four tenths of a second now the margin between Bolliger and Bautista
18:08Yeah, and for Bolliger that was a massive moment down over the curbs on the exit of turn six
18:12And he was able to collect it again shake it ahead from Bolliger
18:16We've seen this at times through the course of the season for Bolliger in the middle of races where he has that sense of frustration
18:22He needs to keep a cool head because he needs these 20 points
18:25So lap 11 plenty of change last time around on lap 10
18:29Raskaklioglu leads Bolliger now by 2.3 seconds
18:32And this is just damage limitation from Bolliger surely barring incident for Raskaklioglu
18:36There's no chance of Bolliger getting to the front from there
18:39Bautista could also take points from Niccolo Bolliger here unless he gets the order to remain behind Bolliger
18:43Here's the massive moment for the number 11. He's lucky to stay on that one there for Bolliger
18:49And it's one of those situations around here where you can see as he gets on the gas
18:53It's just going to give him that massive head shake and you could also see the crash in the background as well
18:58Bolliger and Bautista now well and truly clear two seconds the margin to Jonathan Ray who's now behind them in fourth
19:04There is a big crosswind coming across the track here
19:06But down with turn six for Bolliger had that you are quite well protected
19:10You can see the hills in the right-hand side of the track. That's the lowest part of the racetrack
19:14So the wind shouldn't have been too much of a factor there for Bolliger compared to other places
19:17Take a breath quick word on the right is further down the order Michael van der Mark at the moment running in fifth position in this
19:22Demolition Derby of a race to download for truchee coming back at him though for a top-five finish and he's got Andrea
19:28You know they competing him with him for top independent right on his tail and chubby VFK as well
19:33So less than a second between fifth and eighth places as things stand and Michael Rubin Rinaldi running quite nicely now up in the top
19:4010 head of his old sparring partner Axel Varsanyi who sits in 10
19:44Rinaldi on the number 21 machine. He's right about second behind Javi Vieira
19:48And he's pulled back half a second in this lap as well
19:51So good effort from Rinaldi. Times across the line from lap 11. Razgat Lioglu 137.28
19:57Nikolo Bolliger 137.37
19:59So he's not making any ground at the moment on top rack
20:02Bautista though is starting to gain at the start of this lap new personal best in the final sector of that previous lap
20:08Gap down to three tenths of a second. It was half a second between the two of them
20:11Yeah, and it is coming down for Bautista as well in that third position only a few tenths of a second between himself and Bolliger
20:17We'll see if he's able to just keep that pressure on as well
20:20We'll see how much of a teammate he wants to be. Top rack down in towards turn six. It's a standard fare for top rack really
20:27But still always exciting when you see just how hard he's willing to push. There is still a race going on further back
20:31Van der Mark, you know
20:33Ney Petrucci is now the order. Davalo Petrucci beginning to drop positions as he did in race one rather struggling as the action went on
20:40Yesterday so Petrucci in seventh position now and Javi Vieira right on his tail has made up three tenths of a second on this
20:46Lap so far so entertaining scrap four riders involved for fifth position
20:50Yeah
20:50You know and it's done a good job as well after that
20:52Run off the track or to mishap earlier in the race as well to recover himself up into P6 and right there with Van der
20:57Mark. Bautista right back with Bolliger again on lap 12
21:01I was able to gain ground in sector one sector three. Bautista
21:05Still has an opportunity for second position here. And how did Ducati manage this situation?
21:09Well, they can manage it all they want the problem is are we going to see Alvaro Bautista listen to what they have to say?
21:15Because if he's given a chance to come through will he try and do that?
21:19He's a guy that's won two world championships for Ducati. He'll do it that he's got that status within the team
21:25He's not going to change his position in the championship and he's not going to win this race if it were me on the pit
21:30Wall, I would be telling Bautista to remember that you might need this man to help you next season
21:35He should be thinking like that
21:37But for Bautista is he just gonna be thinking about that chance of finishing in second or does he still think he's got a chance?
21:42To catch top rack as well three seconds is the margin
21:45So for Bautista, we know how good he is in the second half race that bike looks more comfortable now as the fuel loads gone down
21:50He's starting to change direction a lot easier and for Bautista. He might well still do it that there's still half a chance here, but
21:57Realistically for Bautista he needs to sit behind this team now
22:00Well, then let Bautista go off to top rack if he gets him fair enough
22:03But if he doesn't you've got to ask him to let Bolliger through for the extra points in the championship
22:06However unlikely it might be going into the final round of the season 46 points back with only 62 up for grabs
22:13There is still a mathematical chance. This is the action further back Michael van der mark in fifth position
22:18You know a three tenths down Petrucci three-tenths down on him now and Javi Vieca right behind
22:23So just over a second covering this group and this is where our closest action is in race two
22:27It's a good group as well and van der mark did a good job in the feature race yesterday
22:31He was able to come through missed out on the top nine in the Super Bowl race
22:33But for van der mark, it's another weekend where we've been able to see the progress that BMW are making
22:39And certainly for a van der mark and Gerloff over the course of the last year end
22:42We've seen that week in week out in the gap there to at Rinaldi
22:46Bassani who round out the top ten and then Renning and Alex Lowe's behind in at 12th position
22:52lap number
22:5314 now for top rack Rascatlioglu one minute thirty seven point zero five nine three and a half seconds now the captain
23:00Bautista again right behind him as they came past our commentary position
23:03Javi Vieca with a run on Danilo Petrucci off the final turn on lap 13
23:07And Vieca now will be the latest to punish Petrucci for his sluggish pace in race two this afternoon
23:12And again from Javi, he's able to make that move and the Honda looks so good around here
23:17Once again, that's four rounds in a row where they've been really strong
23:20Obviously we saw a glimpse of Iker Lekwon in the pits after his crash
23:23But he was running up there as well in fourth position
23:26So shows the strength of the Honda here and it's increasing competitiveness in the Royal SBK
23:30Yes a shame for Iker Lekwon as he has crashed out
23:34But his teammate Javi Vieca giving a good account of himself and Honda
23:37Remember those two are scrapping over 11th in the championship that could possibly become a top ten spot in the championship by the end of
23:43The year should Remy Gardner not be able to return in time for a rest
23:47So Vieca here seventh position would be a decent haul of points and his teammates is going to score none
23:52Can Vieca get after Iannone now?
23:54Because Iannone and Vandenberg matching one another's pace the last couple of laps around
23:58And that yellow Go 11 bike in sixth position could be looking for fifth very shortly
24:02Yeah, and for Iannone we'll see if he's able to attack Vandenberg
24:06The one problem for him is Vandenberg strong in the straight but more importantly strong in the brakes and strong in the wing
24:11Starting 10th as we work our way through the field
24:13Then it's Scott Renning in 11th, Alex Loews in 12th, Egeta, Ray and Lopez rounding out your scoring positions
24:21Scott Renning closing in actually on Axel Varsani and the second half of this race might be an opportunity for him to get himself
24:27Up inside those top ten positions in a tough weekend for Scott Renning and starting down the order in
24:3218th on the grid after qualifying 19th has certainly made his life a little difficult on to the start finish straight
24:38Iannone right on the tail of Michael Vandenberg as they head towards turn number one
24:42Jonathan Reyn isolated fourth
24:43But the action is behind him and Iannone held at bay for the moment at least as Michael Vandenberg retains that fifth position
24:50You can see here for Bautista only tenth of a second between him and Bulliga as well
24:54Last time around Bautista was even closer on the run in towards turn one
24:57So he's putting himself in a position to come past Bulliga
25:01We'll see whether or not he's brave enough to make him do it
25:03And if he is going to give up the position later on then I'm sure it'll be a big a big gesture
25:07As opposed to just leaving him in front
25:10Bautista at the moment's in third. Yeah, he'll want to give up that position rather than just sit behind in third position
25:16Bulliga holds second
25:17He's not going to get to Razgab Dioglu who is four seconds up the road
25:21Bautista in third place and then a gap of four seconds to Jonathan Rey
25:25But as I say Rey isolated in P4 because Vandenberg is three seconds behind
25:28so you scraps up a second here between Bulliga and Bautista and then for fifth between
25:32Vandenberg and Iannone and Vieja closing in on the pair of them now that he's been released from behind Danilo Petrucci
25:39Petrucci will see if he's able to hold on to that eighth position because we're now in the last time Reb's fourth tenth of second
25:44As well
25:46Bulliga versus Bautista
25:48This is a fight that has been ongoing all season the rookie who started with a race victory on his debut in World SBK
25:55Against the reigning world champion who's thrown away thrown away too many points due to crashes and incident to still be a championship contender
26:02He was ruled out for the crash in race one yesterday, but he's still fighting for this second position
26:07One thing is for sure though Bautista is not going to do anything silly here to get through on Niccolo Bulliga
26:11The door's gonna have to be open and the reason I say that is we've seen it before from Bautista
26:15He was very careful making his moves on Niccolo Bulliga. Think back to Cremona, for example
26:20Yeah for Bautista
26:22It's about trying to create that opportunity to make the move and still just keep the pressure on Bulliga as well
26:27Like he's he's playing the rear corner right now
26:30But if you're Niccolo Bulliga, you don't want to have plus point one in your pit board
26:33You want to make sure that your teammates just dropped off well behind you because when Jonathan Reyes four seconds behind them
26:40There's not really too much to get into Bautista just by keeping himself in this position, keeping the pressure on
26:44Bulliga has already had one big surprise on the exit of turn six
26:47Yes in a way just Bautista being on Bulliga's tail is already a problem enough for Niccolo Bulliga
26:52yet let alone the fact that Bautista might challenge him and might try to come through for second position the
26:57sensible decision here from the team would be to ensure that they stay this way around and then
27:01Bulliga could start to ride with some comfort in these later laps and just make sure he brings home the 20 championship points and only
27:08Gives up the five to Razgatlioglu, your series leader, overhead as they make their way through one of the iconic sections of this Estoril circuit
27:14Turns nine and ten will say an addition subsequent to the initial construction of the circuit
27:20But one that provides some great action here in WorldSVK
27:24Well, there's no order certainly on the Bulliga pit board
27:27And why would you expect there to be 4.3 seconds the gap to top rack Razgatlioglu
27:31Bautista was close a lap ago, but actually that gap has opened up somewhat by the end of lap 16
27:37Alvaro Bautista has dropped around about three tenths of a second behind his teammate
27:41Still on his pit board. No real notice for him about
27:45Letting his teammate through. 37.4 is his previous lap last time around. Yes, Bulliga was faster than Bautista on lap 16
27:55No change here further back could be some change for fifth position because again
27:59Yannone crossed the line in front of our commentary box
28:02Absolutely locked level with Michael Vandermark in the race for fifth position six tenths of a second still the gap to Andrea Yannone
28:09From Yannone, I should say, which is Xavi Vieca behind him and also Danilo Petrucci, Rinaldi and Bassani rounding out your top ten
28:16This is your fight for second position then. You're there second and third in the championship
28:20In fact, the top three in this race are in the order
28:23They're in in the championship standings as well. Razgatlioglu, your series leader, would stretch that margin to 46 points if things stay as they
28:29Are at present. Niccolo Bulliga further opening that gap to Alvaro Bautista, who would confirm third position in the world championship standings
28:36Yeah, and for Bautista, he's there just maintaining that gap of around about three tenths of a second to his teammate, Bulliga
28:42Yes, so not much to be gained by trying to attack him
28:45This is where your racing is
28:47Vandermark in fifth versus Yannone in sixth and Xavi Vieca still trying to close and Petrucci's dug in nicely actually after losing a lot
28:54Of positions, Petrucci starting to find some pace now in the final five or so laps of this race and Rinaldi closing on them all the
29:00Time to his credit in the background of that shot, but it's Vandermark versus Yannone to finish in fifth position this afternoon
29:05Yeah, Rinaldi's got just over a second to make up on Petrucci then behind him
29:08You've got Bassani, Reading and Alex Loews into that battle for tenth as well
29:12So decent scraps going on further down the order
29:15This will be enough at the moment for Danilo Petrucci to confirm
29:18The independence award for 2024 top independent rider not as many independent riders these days perhaps as in the past
29:25There's more official teams on the grid
29:27But Sandre Yannone it is who sits top independent in this race sixth position Petrucci two places behind him in P8
29:33And then Rinaldi gaps down to 1.1 now for Michael Rubin
29:36Rinaldi's left it a little bit too late, but showing some good pace nonetheless
29:39Yeah, trying to get himself back into the mix and it's something encouraging for him on that number 21 machine
29:44There haven't been too many moments this year where he said something really encouraging
29:47Faster than those four riders in front of him last time around as fast as Jonathan Wray who still sits in that isolated fourth place
29:53Vandenmarcke holding good pace here and keeping Andrea Yannone behind him a little bit of a wobble there
29:58But Yannone's not quite close enough once again
29:59Yeah, just that little bit too far back and Vandenmarcke doing a good job to make sure he hits all the markers
30:04Vandenmarcke who finished at seventh place in race one yesterday sits sixth in the world championship standings and one point ahead of Andrea
30:11Yannone, so he'd be two points ahead of him if he can stay in front
30:14But the gap once again down to a tenth of a second between Vandenmarcke and Yannone
30:18Could be on the start-finish straight where Yannone tries to attack once again
30:21He was close to him a lap ago
30:23Rascatioglu just making his way on to the final turn with three laps now to go when he crosses the line
30:29To start lap 19 Alvaro Bautista still right on the tail of Niccolo Bulliger and much closer than he has been for a few laps now
30:36Will Alvaro Bautista attack here?
30:39Second position is up for grabs in race two this afternoon
30:42But the championship is still up for grabs for Niccolo Bulliger as we see Rascatioglu five seconds clear of them
30:49They're side-by-side now Vandenmarcke and Yannone is completely alongside almost up against the white paint in the run towards turn one to come through
30:55For fifth position so Yannone at last has got that job done and Vandenmarcke relegated down to sixth
30:59He's in hot though Yannone and Vandenmarcke will cut back and straight back in front once again
31:04Good racing between them
31:07And
31:08Withhold them withstand that attack again
31:10But for Nike you can see there just sliding on the entry into three trying to get that bike stopped
31:16Riding as hard as he can for that fifth position. He's ridden very well all the way through this season
31:20Alvaro Bautista is getting closer and closer to Niccolo Bulliger
31:24Cap just a tenth of a second throughout this lap thus far and Bulliger's in a little bit hot as well
31:29This is only going to give more confidence to Bautista if he wants to make this move he can get it done
31:32Yeah, he can get the move done. But is he willing to make that move?
31:36That's the question. I think he's trying to almost force that decision from Bulliger force the mistake and see if he's able to come through
31:43Yeah, if I were the rider
31:43I think I'd want to make the move and then make a grand gesture off the final bend to be honest
31:47But Bautista sitting in third position for now at least holding fire behind Niccolo Bulliger
31:52But he's just not afraid of being a showman as well
31:54Jonathan Wray six seconds back now in fourth position just digging in with Michael Vandenmarcke four seconds behind him
32:00Yannone still held at bay. Wieck is only three tenths now behind
32:04It was seven tenths that gap at the start of this lap
32:05So Wieck has the opportunity to sail up to Vandenmarcke and Yannone and pick the pocket hold the pair of them
32:11That's Gatlioglu just passing our commentary box now Bulliger and Bautista some five seconds behind
32:15But second and third places and Bulliger's having to run to the inside of the straight now to cover against Dalvaro Bautista
32:21How are they going to cross the line for fifth and sixth positions? Yannone not quite as close this time around
32:25He is going to try again. Of course he is in towards turn one on the inside line
32:29But we wait to see whether he's been able to get that job done
32:33Wieck a four tenths back and then Petrucci in P8 as we watch the Aruba.IT Ducati riders
32:38through the chicane
32:40Yannone does look as though he's got that done according to our timing screens for fifth position
32:44Still nothing on the pit board for Alvaro Bautista to tell him to sit behind obviously you would imagine that they've had this discussion behind closed doors
32:51But for Alvaro Bautista, you can see just how close he is here to his teammate
32:56And Bautista is doing everything he can to make sure that Bulliger has to earn this P2
33:00Yeah, certainly looks like it doesn't it Alvaro Bautista
33:04But uh equally he's not made a jab anywhere. He's not come from a distance back. He's not trying to outbrake his teammates
33:09He's just shadowed him round. Yeah, that's what Bautista will say is that you know, I clearly had more speed I had the opportunities to come through
33:18Yeah, if it wasn't Bulliger he would have had to go somewhere by now
33:20Yeah, if it's any other bike he's probably come through at this stage
33:23But for Bautista doing what he has to do and just sit there in third position
33:27As I said earlier on it might well be the uh rolls of reverse next season and Bautista needs a little bit of a helping hand
33:33We know he's going to come back stronger next year as he extends his stay one of world sbk's veterans certainly
33:39So Raskatlioglu continues to extend his advantage out in front. This is just an exhibition as far as he's concerned now
33:46Bulliger still leads Bautista
33:49Still a tenth of a second between them as they cross the line still Bulliger having to go defensive
33:53In the start finish straight and in towards turn one
33:57Vandermark versus Yonone yet again in the run down towards turn one Vandermark got back ahead of Yonone
34:03Yonone crosses the line less than a tenth of a second between them for P5
34:07And Bjerke and Petrucci all within a second of that fifth position as well
34:10You can see here for Toprak as well his pace and consistency all the way through this race
34:15and uh Toprak with that change to the softer tire for this race has paid off for him and uh
34:21Two featureless races where he's been able to open up a pretty sizable margin for the rest of the field
34:25Latest on the battle for fifth and sixth positions
34:27I can tell you Andre Yonone ran off at turn one off the circuit altogether
34:31And that's allowed Xavi Bjerke and Danilo Petrucci through for sixth and seventh
34:34That probably settles fifth place now barring a late attack from Bjerke on Vandermark
34:39We're into the final lap and it doesn't look as though Alvaro Bautista is going to try anything on Bulliger
34:44And I don't think that's any great surprise. Yeah for Bautista
34:47He's able to just shadow his teammate through and you can see if this is a last lap battle
34:51I think you'd imagine he'd put himself down the inside into turn nine, but uh solid ride from Bautista
34:57Obviously at the start of the race
34:58He struggled in the early stages, but was able to maintain his position and give himself this chance for the podium
35:03Through the final sector through the final turn for Toprak Razgatlioglu
35:08The championship fight will go to Jerez mathematically at least but with Razgatlioglu on top by a 46 point margin
35:15As he wins two out of three in the Estoril round for 2024
35:19Second place will go to Niccolo Bulliger
35:22Alvaro Bautista makes sure he comes over the line just a tenth of a second behind
35:26He's kept him on his toes throughout
35:28But he didn't do anything that would compromise the team or Niccolo Bulliger's championship hopes
35:32Jonathan Rea with a fine fourth position best we've seen from him since his podium at Donington Park
35:36Michael Vandermark gets fifth after holding Andrea Iannone at bay
35:40Danilo Petrucci in seventh position finishes top independence in the race and therefore claims the independent award for him and Barney Ducati in 2024
35:48Yeah, good performance by Petrucci through this season. Obviously his recovery for me