The future of Superbike superstar and key BMW rider Toprak Razgatlioglu is expected to be sealed by mid-May. With his manager Kenan Sofuoglu discussing two MotoGP options, BMW is fearful of losing its champion – a loss that would be a shock for the German team.
The double Superbike world champion, Toprak Razgatlioglu, is at a decisive turning point in his career, and BMW holds his breath. Kenan Sofuoglu, his manager, wants to seal his future by mid-May, as rumors of a move to MotoGP intensify. During the Assen weekend, BMW race director Sven Blusch made no secret of his concern about the possible loss of his star.
In 2024, Soil scored as many points as all the other drivers on his own BMW reunited. On 31 podiums for the brand, 27 are to his credit, just like 18 opportunities, 19 victories. Result? A historic first world title for BMW among drivers in its entire history. And this season, the pattern is repeating itself: second in the general classification with 115 points after Assen, compared to only 38 for his closest teammate, Michael van der Mark.
Suffice to say that without Razgatlioglu, BMW would become a mid-pack team again. Sven Blusch, racing director of the German brand, is fully aware of this speedweek : " it's a difficult situationThe only thing you can do in a situation like this is to make Toprak feel good. »
Sven Blusch, BMW: “ Toprak Razgatlioglu is ready to tackle the impossible »
But the threat now comes from MotoGP. The Turkish champion has two concrete options: joining the factory team Honda, en lieu and in place of Luca Marini, or replace Jack Miller in the satellite team Yamaha Pramac. " If he stays in Superbike, BMW is the best option "Says Sofuoglu. “ But if he goes to MotoGP, everything has to be perfect. »
Blush knows that MotoGP represents the last territory to conquer for the 27-year-old rider: " He is ready to tackle the impossible… It is an area he has not yet explored. The external pressure is enormous, but the decision is his »
Was it BMW had to lose it? Blush admits to observing the transfer market: " It's my role to be in contact with all the managers. But our priority is to do everything we can to keep Toprak. What he does on the bike, few people can do.. » The departure of Soil would shake up the entire Superbike landscape — and his possible arrival in MotoGP would cause a shock wave.
The wait will not last much longer: the Turkish prodigy's future will be sealed in a few weeks. BMW has bet everything on Toprak and doesn't want to relive the years of anonymity before his arrival. But with the beckoning MotoGP, even a world title might not be enough to keep him. The Bavarian brand is holding its breath.
