SBK San Juan preview

The top of the last race so far in Argentina with the eventual winner Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki) ahead of Alvaro Bautista (Ducati), Toprak Razgatlioglu (Kawasaki), Chaz Davies (Ducati) and Yamaha rider Sandro Cortese (© Kawasaki Racing Team).

The penultimate round of the WSBK season in 2021

After the Superpole Race in Portimão, the fight for the title was as good as decided. But then the unbelievable happened in the second run and Toprak, who was leading in the interim classification, fell and lost more than half of his huge lead over the reigning world champion. The situation in the World Cup is completely open again, and Jonathan Rea has the chance to further reduce his deficit of currently 24 points on Razgatlioglu before the final round in Indonesia. However, the Turk does not only have the Kawasaki pilot as an opponent. After his tough attacks against Scott Redding in Most and Portugal, he still has an account of the world championship leader. It is possible that the Ducati man will be happy to help the Northern Irishman in the fight to defend his title before moving to BMW next season. So the tension for the round in Argentina is high, and maybe Alex Lowes will also be able to have a say about the podium. The fast man from Lincoln is in top form except for the condition of his injured hand and will do everything possible to provide maximum support for the Greens and his teammates.

The WorldSBK pack two years ago with Jonathan Rea at the top in Laguna Seca (California / USA) – while the MotoGP was only recently hosted in Texas, there will be no race in the United States after 2020 either. Besides Argentina, there is only an overseas race in Indonesia.

Argentina may bring the preliminary decision in both classes

While Razgatlioglu has the opportunity to secure his first world title in San Juan early, this is especially true for Dominique Aegerter. The Ten Kate Yamaha rider has the chance in Argentina to close the bag early and to maintain his lead of currently 54 points over Steven Odendaal. The South African cannot get more than 50 points on the Mandalika Circuit, so the preliminary decision in the title fight is very likely, especially in the WorldSSP 600. Not only the fans of Johnny Rea hope that this will not happen, at least in the WSBK. So far, the Kawasaki ace has won four out of five races in Argentina and Alvaro Bautista one two years ago. Toprak was on the podium four times and the Turk will strive to win as many times as possible, but the man in green will do everything possible to prevent this.

Impressive crowd at the WorldSBK premiere of 2018 on the Circuito San Juan Villicum. Over 80,000 spectators lined the route back then, and we had already booked our flight for 2020. But the pandemic prevented it from happening, and WorldSBK is not returning until this season.

The behavior of Razgatlioglu – unworthy of a possible world champion?

The critical voices about the ruthless and especially dangerous driving style of the Turk for himself and his opponents are increasing. After the first run in Most (see the interview in our report) Scott Redding complained bitterly about the reckless attack of the Yamaha rider. The Englishman already pointed out at the time how unfair the World Cup leader would have behaved. There was an ugly repetition at the first race in Portimão and this time Razgatlioglu first completely disrespectfully bumped into the reigning world champion Rea, who barely managed to avoid a fall. After that, he deliberately drove Redding into his line when braking, who later complained heavily again. He spoke to the Turk directly, and also openly spoke his opinion into the microphone in the panel interview. Dorna even cut out his angry comment in their official press version of the interview, and the FIM commissioners looked away. With three fatal accidents so far this year, this is a shame, as many observers and commentators absolutely rightly point out.