The Aragón round of the WSBK has not featured any of the two main contenders for the title at the top of the podium and, however, it has been full of emotion.
SBK Aragón Race 1: Andrea Iannone returns to the top after her suspension
If there has been a journey through the desert when it comes to high-level motorcycle competition, it has been Andrea Iannone’s. After four years of sanction for a positive test for “Drostanolone” (steroids), which at first was only 18 months, the Italian had to leave professional motorcycling.
That would have ended anyone’s career, ambitions and speed, but the Italian has returned to WSBK this year and although he is not fighting for the championship, he has shown his speed from the beginning with several podiums. But at MotorLand, during the first race of the weekend, Iannone returned to the top in a flawless victory in which Toprak Razgatlioglu could do nothing.
A race that was interrupted by the hard fall of Alex Lowes and the suspicion that there could be oil on the track although, later, it was confirmed that the Briton’s fall had been due to another driver’s winglet lodged in his rear wheel. Returning to the race, in addition to the immeasurable brilliance of Iannone, we were able to witness the recovery of Toprak Razgatlioglu who, despite not winning, increased his advantage over Bulega by 20 points after the Italian suffered a technical problem on his motorcycle. The podium was completed by the American Garret Gerloff who has maintained a high level throughout the weekend.
Regarding the Spanish drivers, Álvaro Bautista was fourth, with Iker Lecuona sixth, and Xavi Vierge eighth as the last of our drivers to enter the points. Tito Rabat had less luck as he retired seven laps from the end.
SBK Aragón SuperPole Race: Bautista does magic
The Talavera driver seems to be in the best moment so far this season. Already in Cremona it was very competitive and in MotorLand Aragón it has continued to be so. Concise and effective, he managed to climb back to first place with a beautiful battle with Toprak and Bulega with the three entering the finish line in that order and separated by less than two tenths after a brilliant overtake on the last lap.
BEING A PROPHET IN YOUR LAND, by Álvaro Bautista @19bautista He makes a brutal overtake on Razgatlıoğlu on the last lap to win the Aragon Superpole 🔥🔥🔥
#AragonWorldSBK 🇪🇸 #WBSK pic.twitter.com/L9ghIJx1E7— DAZN Spain (@DAZN_ES) September 29, 2024
Although Bautista was the winner, the big “winner” was once again Razgatlioglu who gained another few points ahead of Bulega who sees the championship going uphill. On this occasion Bautista and Bulega took Iannone and Gerloff back, fourth and fifth respectively. Lecuona finished seventh, with Vierge ninth and Tito Rabar seventeenth.
SBK Aragón Race 2: Álvaro acts as number 1
Although this year is being complicated for Bautista, we must not forget that he is a two-time world champion and defends number one. That is why he is capable of starring in races like the second, with a command of the situation worthy of a champion and withstanding the pressure and pace of Toprak.
And the Turk was increasing the bet from behind and the Spaniard responded. Each lap went a little faster and if Toprak increased the pace, Álvaro hit the table the next lap and vice versa. Thus they achieved an advantage of more than 10 seconds over Nicolo Bulega who, despite riding fast, lost time at the start and fell behind, giving up another four points over Razgatlioglu.
Iannone rounded off a good weekend as did Gerloff who were fourth and fifth respectively. Iker Lecuona finished in eighth place with his teammate Vierge tenth, while Tito Rabar repeated his seventeenth place in the SuperPole Race.
After the Aragón round, only two remain ahead. The next meeting in Estoril from October 11 to 13 and a week later the closing of the championship in Jerez. Despite everything, Razgatlioglu has recovered an important advantage, 39 points over Bulega and 81 over Bautista. Taking into account that there are still 124 points at stake, mathematics says that anything is possible, but the advantage may allow the Turk not to have to risk more than necessary.
