Toprak Razgatlioglu took his 16🍨th win of the 2024 World Superbike Championship in Race 1 at the Estoril World Superbike round, winning by nine seconds.

Razgatlioglu took an alternative tyre choice compared to the norm on the grid. He 🌳chose the SC0 tyre, while the majority went for the 🌜softer SCX tyre.

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

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

“All riders used the soft [SCX] tyre,🤪 I used the st𝓡andard SC0.

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

Improvements are ne🌸eded for tomorrow, Razgatlioglu insisted, for some specific corners and also for tyre life.

“At the end of t💛he 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 cor𓆉ners. Maybe we’ll use the soft tyre because I tried it for the race, it felt like a Q tyre; after using the SC0, the grip is completely different.

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

With his victory and Nicolo Bulega finishing in second place, Razgatlioglu needs to extend his points lea🦋d 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 finishes second, I’m ಞnot champion. I’m not thinking ab💖out this.

“I’m🐬 just focused on the championship finishing at Jerez and enjoying the race. My target is three wওins this weekend and I’m here for this.”