With each WorldSBK title challenger on every podium, the big three at Navarra were certainly that, but Yamaha’s Toprak Razgatlioglu’s clear win in the final race levelled the playing field.

After losing ground to KRT’s Jonathan Rea in race one, and then again in the Superpole sprint, the Pata Yamaha rider’s luck changed in the last bout of the weekend. His haul of 25 points, added to Rea eventually finishing third, put them equal on a class-leading 311 points as the second half of the season kicked off.

The difference? It seems it was all change for Razgatlioglu as far as his bike was concerned for the final race of the weekend.

“We changed to some special setup and also we changed the sprocket, because I was feeling too much chattering in the short race,” said Razgatlioglu, after his sixth win of 2021.

“We changed not really big things, small, but I was feeling much better. Also I’m feeling quite good on the bike so I ride much better. I see on my board Johnny is 0.3, 0.4 behind. I understand he is staying on my back, so not easy.

“Every lap I push for a good lap time, consistent lap time. After I see in my board one-second. After, I watch and relax. I say today, finally I win, because for me not an easy weekend. But, every race I try for this position. I’m really happy!”

Having led the standings after Donington, Razgatlioglu lost a lot of points at Assen, only to claw his way back at Most, but to leave Navarra on a joint points lead, may have been more than he could have reasonably expected after being ‘only’ third in the first two races of the Spanish weekend.

“I was just today focused to win,” the Turk admitted. “Also, I like my favourite track in France, which is next.

“For me, maybe it will be my first time in dry conditions. I hope dry. I am again leader, but I am always focused on the race. I try again next race. I fight again."

Having a better start than eighth - which is where he was for race one and the Superpole battle, made another difference in race two.

“For me, much better because the first race I had an eighth position start - and also not good start. I’m not coming into the front group on the first lap then, after, everybody had gone. Today, I had a good start. First lap I also passed Scott Redding. After, I see my lap time, I am surprised because I’m feeling very good and the lap time was coming very easy. After every lap I pushed. I don’t close the gas!”

Razgatlioglu had alluded to Magny Cours being his favourite circuit,  and he really does hope it is dry this time. “Yeah, my favourite circuit, but we will see because with Yamaha first time. Last year I ride, but just bad conditions. I hope this year dry conditions. I think we’re fighting again for win, but we will see.”