What a masterclass from the rookie. Alberto Surra (Motocorsa Racing) absolutely electrified the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship paddock on Sunday, turning an already solid Tissot Estoril Round into an unforgettable weekend by bagging two more rostrum results to seal his first-ever WorldSBK hat-trick. Already boasting a podium from Race 1, the #67 added a pair of stunning third-place finishes on Sunday, bringing his total haul to four for the season and drawing him level with fellow rookie Miguel Oliveira (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) as both riders head to the final showdown at the Circuito de Jerez - Angel Nieto, Andalucia.
Sunday morning's Tissot Superpole Race started with some proper elbows-out racing. Starting from third place, Surra watched Miguel Oliveira (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) charge into the opening corner behind Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing - Ducati) and Iker Lecuona (Aruba.it Racing - Ducati), while Surra himself slipped to P5 after a punchy move from Jake Dixon (Honda HRC) at Turn 2. The Italian #67 fought back past the factory Honda machine later on that same lap, but reeling in the MotoGP-race-winning #88 of Oliveira was no easy task. Surra chipped away at a one-second deficit, reducing it to around six tenths by Lap 8. Entering the final lap, just a tenth separated the pair before Oliveira cracked under the pressure, allowing Surra to slip through at Turn 4 and cruise home to his third rostrum of the year.
Reflecting on his hard-fought Superpole Race battle, Surra could not hide his satisfaction. As he put it: “It’s been one of the best weekends of the season! I’m very happy; it was a very solid week for my team and me, and now we’ll go to Jerez. It’s a difficult circuit for my riding style, but I’m happy to keep improving and taking a good result for me and the team. Oliveira is a very fast rider, but I took P3 from him at Turn 4 in the Superpole Race. I’m really happy about that.”
If the morning race was a clinic in persistence, Race 2 was a war of attrition against true WorldSBK royalty. Surra found himself locked in combat with two-time WorldSBK Champion Alvaro Bautista (Barni Spark Racing Team). After Bautista snatched third on the opening lap, Surra brilliantly reclaimed his grid position on Lap 2 at Turn 6. The rookie held firm in the final podium spot until a wide moment under heavy braking at Turn 1 on Lap 13 let the Spaniard through. Undeterred, Surra kept the gap down to just three tenths by Lap 16, setting the stage for a grandstand finish until misfortune struck the veteran #19, who crashed out at Turn 1 on Lap 17 to hand Surra a well-earned third place.
Looking back at Race 2 and ahead to the upcoming finale, Surra remained focused and full of belief. He noted: “In Race 2 I had very good grip on the rear tyre, and I had the possibility to pass Alvaro, but then he crashed in Turn 1. I’m full of confidence for Jerez; it will be difficult, but I will fight for the best result for me and my team.”
