Bautista makes history as Razgatioglu crashes out

Alvaro Bautista claimed a record-breaking 18th win of the season in race two on Sunday, round eight of the 2023 World Superbike championship from Most in the Czech Republic.

Toprak Razgatlioglu started from pole once again but it was Axel Bassani who came out of the blocks quickest to claim an early lead.

That advantage for the Italian was lost when he crashed out at lap two which saw Bautista move into second.

Razgatioglu was just about holding off Bautista by blocking and holding down the inside.

There would be a twist in the tale as after 15 laps in the lead, Razgatioglu crashed out with six laps to go due to a rear tyre failure, with blisters, delamination and a puncture.

Meanwhile, Danilo Petrucci rode brilliantly to take second ahead of Jonathan Rea with two laps remaining.

However, the accolades went to Bautista, who claimed the 50th win of his career and 18 wins in a single season, which had previously never been done before.