WorldSBK Misano Superpole Race | Confident Rinaldi doubles up for Ducati

Michael Ruben Rinaldi notched up his second WorldSBK win of the weekend at Misano with another accomplished performance in Sunday's Superpole Race sprint.

Just as he did in race one, Rinaldi was able to overcome a second row start to claw his way to the front of the field, usurping a stubborn defence by Toprak Razgatlioglu to take the lead with four laps remaining before easing home the winner.

Off the line it was Razgatlioglu that grabbed the early initiative, the Turkish rider winning out in a dice through the opening bends with Jonathan Rea to stretch a five-strong lead pack that also included Rinaldi, Scott Redding and Alex Lowes.

However,  it was Rinaldi on the factory Aruba.it Ducati with the forward momentum, first dismissing Rea on lap two before shadowing Razgatlioglu over the ensuing laps. Despite the Yamaha rider’s staunch defence of the lead, a confident Rinaldi got the job done with a superb overtake at the fast Turn 11 right-hander on lap six.

It would prove the pivotal moment among the front runners with Rinaldi easing out the winner for a second time this weekend, earning him pole position for Race 2 this afternoon.

Razgatligolu held onto second position from Rea in a repeat of Saturday’s Race 1 podium, while Scott Redding and Alex Lowes in fourth and fifth also mirrored yesterday’s finishes

Axel Bassani secured independents’ honours as he improved his and Motocorsa’s best ever WorldSBK result to a fine sixth place,ahead of Tom Sykes and Garrett Gerloff, the American starring in his fight back from the back of the grid to finish eighth and reclaim a third row start for Race 2.

Andrea Locatelli gets the final available elevated grid spot in ninth, with Alvaro Bautista coming away empty-handed for tenth.

Chaz Davies suffered his second DNF of the weekend when he came down through the first corner complex on the opening lap, while Michael van der Mark and Lucas Mahias joined him on the retirements' list after crashes that will leave them playing catch up from lower grid positions in Race 2.

2021 WorldSBK Misano | Superpole Race Results