With this intervention on Speedweek, Kenan Sofuoglu not only took stock of the case of his rider Toprak Razgatlioglu in WSBK as in MotoGP, he also, and above all, kicked in. Kenan the terrible also lives in the skin of the manager as he once terrified on the track. The multiple Supersport World Champion, and standard bearer of the Turkish nation in the world of motorcycle racing, is not happy with the events currently taking place around his WSBK World Champion Toprak Razgatlioglu. He therefore takes the reins from his driver who has yet to win anything this year and he widens the circle of his anger to Lin Jarvis who is asked to get involved in what concerns him. Atmosphere…
It's tense at the moment in the Turkish clan held with an iron fist by Kenan Sofuoglu. The latter has just taken off his velvet glove which had covered him until now in order to clearly show that the situation was serious for his pilot Toprak Razgatlioglu. The WSBK World Champion 26 years old, expected to arrive in MotoGP, disappoints the manager who, in an interview with speedweek, begins by reminding his compatriot of the fundamentals: “ I didn't like his attitude at all. You can't be late for workouts or go to bed when you want in the evening, or think about buying designer clothes and expensive cars. When you're a driver, you have to think about racing until you go to bed at night. Head and motivation are everything ».
Kenan the terrible continues: “ after winning the World Championship last year, everyone surrounding Toprak, as well as the media, fans, SBK etc, started treating him like a star. All this had a strong impact on him, to the point of not starting the season well. I didn't like his attitude and the way he trained. When I was racing, I was the first to show up for training. So I told him: “ if something is more important than your job, you can't win races "".
Kenan then goes into detail: “ among other things, I didn't like the fact that he talked about other things besides motorcycles, almost as if he wanted to put them on the back burner. It all depends on how you live, think, work and spend your money. I criticized him for never trying to beat the lap record on my circuit in Turkey, he prefers to buy nice things. I have always worked on myself to improve. This is exactly what I want to see from him. In this world, humility is essential and you have to keep your feet on the ground. Look for example at Johnny's hunger or Alvaro's motivation, they are impressive, in fact they win. It is not enough to train, what matters above all is the way we live, think and work ».
The former 600 Supersport champion therefore took matters into his own hands, with force: “ I punished him and when we trained recently I gave him the poorest equipment I had. And with this equipment, Toprak had to beat us all on my track where we train, sweating and giving everything inside, without sparing ourselves. He and I spoke for a long time after the Assen race and in Estoril I saw the motivated driver I know ».
Kenan Sofuoglu: “I sent a message to Lin Jarvis in which I was very clear"
More Kenan Sofuoglu don't stop at Toprak Razagatlioglu. He also warns Lynn Jarvis that he would be well advised to stop distracting his rider by systematically promising him an opportunity in MotoGP in his recent statements… “ Lin Jarvis talks about Toprak and emphasizes that he is interested in him. But the only option for him is for him to ride in the B team. I asked SBK racing boss Andrea Dosoli to talk to Yamaha and ask the MotoGP people to stop talking about him and confusing him. Toprak didn't start the season well, not like a champion. He hasn't won a race yet. So I don't want him to get even more confused with the MotoGP stories. Toprak must first do a good job in World Superbike before entering MotoGP – if he really wants to ».
Razgatlioglu extended his contract with Yamaha on July 2, 2021 until the end of 2023. “ I made one thing clear to Yamaha from the start ", highlighted Sofuoglu. “ If Yamaha makes us an offer for the MotoGP factory team, we will consider it. Toprak has a two-year Superbike contract, but if Yamaha wants him in the MotoGP factory team, it's possible. And only then. Jarvis talks about the B-Team though. But we don't want that, Toprak won't drive for the B-Team. There is no chance of that, not one percent. I sent a message to Lin Jarvis last weekend in which I was very clear. He should stop talking about Toprak and MotoGP when the factory team is complete. He can't decide. Toprak does not dream of riding for any MotoGP team. If Yamaha really wants him they need to put him on the factory team ».
The Supersport World Record Champion concludes: “ Toprak is free for 2024. I will talk to Ducati and Yamaha, I will talk to the brand that Toprak wants to ride for. I don't think we will be in MotoGP in 2023. I have always said that two conditions must be met for this to happen. Firstly, he should win a lot of races in the first half of the Superbike season. And secondly, he should be placed in the MotoGP factory team. This is not the case currently ". So who's the boss?
