#EstorilWorldSBK: Not completely satisfied with eleventh place in first race

Saturday, October 17th, 2020

After a strong seventh position in Saturday morning’s third free practice session, Jonas Folger had justified hopes of a similarly strong result for Superpole and the first race of the weekend.

On day two of practice, Jonas Folger was also able to convince in every respect at the season’s finale of the Superbike World Championship in Estoril, Portugal. Folger closed FP3 just something more than half a second off in P8. In Superpole, the qualifying session that is decisive for the starting grid, the 27-year-old rider from Upper Bavaria got off to a flying start when he saw himself for a provisional front-row start for a while.

In Superbike World Championship, however, riders are given an extra-soft rear tyre for their time attack to match for the best possible starting positions. Shortly before the end of Superpole, this qualifier was fitted to Folger’s Yamaha Superbike. On his first flying lap, he was on his best way to a significant improvement in terms of lap time, before Folger was too late on the brakes for turn six after the back straight. So, this means that he had to leave the line from fourth row of the starting grid from eleventh position in this afternoon’s race in good conditions. After a difficult race, he also finished in the same position.

#94 Jonas FOLGER (Bonovo action powerd by MGM Racing, Yamaha YZF R1), Superpole: P11 / Race 1: P11:

“I do not quite agree with the outcome of the day. In Superpole I was not able to make out the best from the qualifier tyre because of a mistake on the brakes. So, my final time attack was broken, because this tyre actually lasts only one lap. Nevertheless, eleventh place on the starting grid was lots better than last time in Barcelona. The race itself was exceedingly difficult from the start to the finish line. But eleventh place is by no means disastrous, although I secretly had hoped for more. Finally, I had to struggle with massive grip issues throughout the race. This was a real pity because there would have been more possible today. But we found the mistake quickly after the race and therefore I am confident that we can do better on Sunday. So, I am really looking forward to it because the Superpole race even gives us a second chance to make up for missed opportunities.”

#EstorilWorldSBK - Superbike Combined Free Practice Times (FP1/FP2/FP3):

1 Scott REDDING / GBR / ARUBA.IT Racing - Ducati / Ducati Panigale V4 R / 1´36.770 (FP3)

2 Toprak RAZGATLIOGLU / TUR / PATA YAMAHA WorldSBK Official Team / Yamaha YZF R1 / 1´36.872 +0.102 (FP3)

3 Jonathan REA / GBR / Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK / Kawasaki ZX-10RR / 1´36.986 +0.216 (FP3)

8 #94 Jonas FOLGER / GER / Bonovo Action by MGM Racing / Yamaha YZF R1 / 1´37.436 +0.666 (FP3)

#EstorilWorldSBK - Superbike Superpole Result:

1 Toprak RAZGATLIOGLU / TUR / PATA YAMAHA WorldSBK Official Team / Yamaha YZF R1 / 1´36.154

2 Leon HASLAM / GBR / Team HRC / Honda CBR1000RR-R / 1´36.856 +0.702

3 Garrett GERLOFF / USA / GRT Yamaha WorldSBK Junior Team / Yamaha YZF R1 / 1´36.865 +0.711

11 #94 Jonas FOLGER / GER / Bonovo Action by MGM Racing / Yamaha YZF R1 / 1´37.175 +1.021

#EstorilWorldSBK - Superbike Race 1 Classification (21 Runden):

1 Toprak RAZGATLIOGLU / TUR / PATA YAMAHA WorldSBK Official Team / Yamaha YZF R1 / 34´13.229