Locatelli made a stunning start as he took over the race lead from Jonathan Rea on lap two, and althou🦂gh Alvaro Bautista came back past, the Yamaha rider w⛦as more than a match for Razgatlioglu.

The Turkish rider has usually held the advantage over Locatelli, however, the 2020 S💃upersport champion was able to comfortably defend from his teammate for much of the race.

• Bassani: "I want to battle for the podium, not top🌸 five", Oettl under "pressure🥂” 
• Rinaldi: “I don’t know if my futureᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ𒀱ᩚᩚᩚ depends on Marquez, news in Portimao”

Razgatliogl𝐆u, who didn’t have his normal confidence under braking, got alongside Locatelli on a couple of occasions but could not force a move. 

In what was arguably his best ride ever as a Superbike rider, Locatelliඣ said: "Honestly, it was fun. It’s probably one of the best races of my life! Just a bit unlucky. We had a broken oil radiator and lost something.&nꦉbsp;

"When I saw the oil was a bit on my leg, it was unfortunately only with three laps to go. I could do nothing.&nbsඣp;

"We ha🏅ve always been lucky without problems and sometimes this happens. It’s a strong weekend in the end. 

"We showed our potential and I think this is the best thing to do. We will see what we can do in Portugal at Portimao but I’m fꦫeeling really confident."

A gutted Locatelli made hi♕s🌠 way back to the pits with four laps remaining as he lost out on what would have been seventh podium of 2023.

"I understood a lot during the race, and I tried to find a bit more grip on the rear," added Locatelli when discussing his battle with Razgatlioglu. "We worked a lot on the setup of the bike, especially 🍨after the Superpole Race. We found a good solution. 

"We had a bit of an advantage on the exit of corners, an💧d it was also great under braking. 

"When Toprak overtooꦇk at Turn 7, I felt something at Turn 5, and it was probably because the radiator started to break. I lost the rear grip a bit many times and, in the end, I neౠeded to stop the bike."