Can Toprak box the title off this weekend? 39 points clear with only a round left after this weekend (god where has this year gone). I’m going with yes. Bulega will crumble.
I don’t think Bulega has a confidence issue, I do however think Toprak is currently the best rider in the field ……. and he will give BMW their maiden WSBK title, this year. Andy
You have to take your hat off to him for his rookie year. Had some pretty unfortunate incidents beyond his control too. Only chance he’s got is if Alvaro can get in the way early on in the weekend imo though.
Absolute crash fest in fp1 including both lowes bros Rea and bulega All while Topraks sat in the garage half a second clear. Taz finishing the session in 4th was nice to see. MVDS confirming SL22 for next year had me wincing .
Sad to hear MVDM’s mother passed away suddenly between rounds, not sure I’d be racing if I were him. Imagine TR54 will pay his respects at some point. Topraks to lose now though isn’t it. Half a second over the rest of the field in the wet and three quarters of a second in the dry. 1.5 ahead of Bulega. Another decent showing from the two Honda boys. Redding behind Ray and the local wild card, oof.
Without wanting to turn this thread into a Toprak love in is there any other rider who’s pissed all over motorcycle racing cliches more than he has? “Its a new bike he needs time to adapt” “Hes just coming back from life threatening Injuries, it will take some time” “He’s never raced here on this bike” “He needs time to adapt to the team” Etc…
I’ve not been watching racing for long (since 2016), but I doubt it. He is special, no doubt - to turn up and do what he’s done - that no other BMW rider has done either this season or previously tells you a lot. MVDM and Gerloff have had their moments, Redding is way off (again - which is a shame as I always root for him to do well), but he’s been great on that bike. I reckon you could have put him on one of the Hondas and he’d be up there.
He is just one of them riders who enjoys throwing shapes and really understands a bike, like a Stoner but happy
Not sure how Petrcci managed to throw that final lap time away but Toprak on pole. Bulega fifth and out qualifies Bautista to keep his 100% record up lol. Honourable mention to Taz in 8th. Anyone see that piece toseland did with Toprak on his bmw? Jeez he’s clearly still having horrible issues with that wrist that forced him to retire. Looked scabby and sore and there were clearly some fairly fresh scars. Not nice to see.
Enjoyable first two thirds of the race. Done and dusted isn’t it? Alvaros reign finally over too. Hats off to Iker on theee Onda. Rea on Bulega had me hissing at “the six times world champion”.
Toprak needs to fall off, or be knocked off, to not win now. Interesting Bautista said he held back as his team mate can still win the title.
