Battle for third in WorldSBK promises to be a thriller in Losail
Doha, Qatar: Jonathan Rea ensured his World Superbike title in France early this month and Álvaro Bautista is certain to finish second, but the battle for the final place on the podium is going to be thrilling affair under the bright lights of Losail International Circuit on Friday and Saturday.
Six points separate a rider leaving Yamaha from the man replacing him next year; in-between sits their current and future teammate, respectively. Alex Lowes (Pata Yamaha WorldSBK Team) has accumulated 305 points, Michael van der Mark (Pata Yamaha WorldSBK Team) 304, and Toprak Razgatlioglu (Turkish Puccetti Racing) 299.
All three have shown different strengths on their way here. Lowes is winless in 2019 yet has proven to be one of the most consistent men in the paddock. Razgatlioglu suffered early on in the year, yet since June he has arguably been the strongest of the three and a serious threat to the two championship frontrunners. Van der Mark is tougher to define: a championship contender in some places, behind his teammate in others.
The Dutchman could point fingers at that unfortunate high side which took him out of the Misano weekend and left him in pain for the next two. Yet would the battle have been sewn up already? The other two could look at similar instances of misfortune: Lowes’ incredibly disappointing Jerez weekend, followed by his own crash while leading at Misano; Razgatlioglu’s tumble at Magny-Cours when potentially on-course for a treble, or the number of rainy occasions which have frustrated the inexperienced Turk.
The only truth is that all three have proven to be deserving, yet only one will walk away with the prize. Ultimately it all boils down to who can perform the best at the Losail International Circuit. The Englishman has two podium finishes in Qatar, but momentum is on Puccetti’s side. Van der Mark, meanwhile, is the only one who can claim to know what it takes to finish third in a World Championship. Experience, consistency, youth: one will prevail in Losail. But it will take all three races to find out which one.
