Toprak Razgatlioglu enters this weekend’s (10–12 October) Estoril WorldSBK with a mathematical shot on the title, however how can he affirm himself as a three-time World Superbike Champion earlier than the ultimate spherical in Jerez?
The situation dealing with Razgatlioglu and Nicolo Bulega is the truth is extremely much like that which they had been concerned in ultimately yr’s Estoril Spherical, in that Razgatlioglu can not mathematically be champion earlier than Race 2.
There are at present 124 factors out there and after the Superpole Race in Portugal that might be lowered to 87, however by then Razgatlioglu’s most potential margin – i.e. if Bulega doesn’t rating in both Race 1 or the Superpole Race and Razgatlioglu wins each – might be 73 factors over Bulega.
So, the best manner to take a look at the permutations going into Estoril this weekend is that Razgatlioglu should finish Race 2 with a spot of not less than 62 factors over Bulega to be topped champion for the third time earlier than the Jerez finale.
Meaning Razgatlioglu wants to realize 26 factors over Bulega over the weekend’s three races to be able to be topped champion in Estoril.
After all, the utmost Razgatlioglu may acquire in Race 2 is 25 factors, which means he wants to realize not less than one level throughout Race 1 and the Superpole Race to be able to have an opportunity to win the title in Race 2.
That implies that if Bulega and Razgatlioglu repeat their outcomes from Race 1 and the Superpole Race in Estoril final yr, when the BMW received Race 1 and Ducati’s Bulega took victory on Sunday morning, Razgatlioglu would preserve his probability to win the title in Race 2.
Nonetheless, if Bulega beats Razgatlioglu in every of the weekend’s first two races, Razgatlioglu might be unable to clinch the title on Sunday afternoon.
Regardless of the case, Razgatlioglu can’t be topped champion earlier than Sunday’s Race 2, however Bulega can retract that possibility from him within the two races that precede it.
