The three way fight for podium places in WorldSBK this year got reshuffled again at Navarra on day one, as Redding, Rea and then Razgatlioglu came out as the 1-2-3, with Razgatlioglu only eighth in Superpole and then taking what seemed to be a long time to get to, and then past, his team-mate Andrea Locatelli.

When asked what was wrong at the very beginning with his pace, he said in the media debriefs, “First I tried to follow Loka, but after, I tried also passing but also it was not easy because on the second lap I made a big mistake in the last corner.

“My gear went in neutral. After, I put it in first gear, but everybody had gone. After I try again to come forward. Johnny and Scott were very fast, but I tried. I saw Johnny sliding and I try for second position. Also, I lost my front tyre, at the same corner. But… I tried my best this race even though this weekend I’m not really strong.

“I have some problems. I’m not turning (as well as I would like). Sometimes some corners I’m not getting a good feeling from the bike. In the race, not really bad, but I need more.

“Tomorrow we will also try a different tyre, also different electronic setup because this is not enough! I try tomorrow more. But we will see. I like to fight! I don’t like to ride alone.”

Razgatlioglu put his lowly Superpole down to set-up issues and therefore feel.

“I don’t understand because I’m feeling strange,” he said. “Normally I like it quite like this position (he indicated a neutral riding stance) and feeling was like this (putting his virtual bike in its nose) but bike not turning. Also I am surprised by eighth position, but I said, OK. I will just race. I was third but this is not enough. Tomorrow I try more.”

Razgatlioglu had it put to him that even on a bad day he is still in a podium place, which is usually a sign that things are working well in general.

“Yeah, normally yes,” he said. “This podium is good also. Every race, every track I try for the best position. Also every race I’m on podium. This race is not easy for me, but I am again on the podium. I say again, this is not enough for me. Tomorrow again an eighth position start. Also, Superpole race is important because for next race, second race, I need a good start position.

“In the first race today I started but I was not coming fast to the front because everybody rides on a different line. Some inside, some on the right side, but not passing. Just waiting. I’m coming not fast. Today I learned something.”

With what may be a three-way championship fight brewing, Razgatlioglu was asked about who is favourite now?

“Scott is fast, but also on some tracks Ducati is very good,” said Toprak. “We are fighting with Johnny. Ducati is very fast in the straight and Ducati is very good for hot conditions but we are fighting. Sometimes we are fast, but sometimes not enough. Also after this race weekend, I like every track, especially Magny-Cours. I hope for no rain there, but we will see. After Navarra, maybe we are coming very strong. We will see. I try also tomorrow. This weekend is not finished. I try tomorrow again.”