Rea Or Razgatliogku, Who Will Win The 2021 WSBKI? This Is What Max Biaggi Said

Max Biaggi (Instagram @maxbiaggiofficial)

JAKARTA - Two-time World Superbike champion Max Biaggi predicts Jonathan Rea will need luck to stop the run of the current leader Toprak Razgatlioglu in order to defend his title at the Pertamina Mandalika Circuit.

This weekend's WSBK 2021 closing series race will be the place to determine the world title when Razgatlioglu (Pata Yamaha with Brixx WorldSBK) has a 30-point advantage over six-time world champion Rea (Kawasaki Racing Team World SBK).

A maximum of 62 points are ready to be won from two races and one superpole race for 10 laps this weekend.

Biaggi sees Razgatlioglu and Rea at the same level in the title fight this season. "It's not easy to predict who will be the champion," said the Italian, as quoted by Antara, Thursday.

"Johnny is a master of WSBK and has won more times, and for him to see a rider this young (Razgatlioglu), so confident of winning races, will make him think how it is possible.

"Johnny is not slowing down, Toprak is bringing new talent to WSBK."

Assessing Rea's chances, Biaggi said an element of luck would be needed for the Briton to overturn his points deficit.

"Johnny is 30 points behind, basically like this, he's not too burdened.

"It's very difficult to give advice to a rider as good as him, but I feel the situation is like that, Johnny needs more luck than Toprak.

"Johnny has to hunt, to attack but also to take more risks.

The rivals can be more conservative and if Razgatlioglu can finish on the podium in every race, and Rea wins all the races, then the Turk wins.

"Toprak looks like a very determined rider, and he looks like he will do everything necessary," said Biaggi, who did not want to miss the last round of the championship this season.

Meanwhile, Rea admitted that he was very curious about the Mandalika circuit which for the first time hosted WSBK.

"This looks like a circuit that would match the power of our ZX10-RR," said Rea.

"We got there 30 points behind in the table battle but we will fight until the end.

"I feel all the pressure is gone, I can race freely without any burdens and the target is clear. With three chances to score points in front of my eyes I will perform 100 percent and do my best," said Rea, who is aiming for his seventh title in a row.