WSBK BREAKING NEWS: it's official, it's over between Yamaha and Toprak Razgatlioglu!

Between Toprak Razgatlioglu and Yamaha, the renewal of the lease was expected as a formality before Kenan Sofuoglu, his manager, blew the cold during the last round of the category experienced in Catalonia. For its part, Yamaha had sworn to have gone to its maximum with its proposals that the brand evaluated without equivalence on the transfer market. But we must believe that yes since the two parties officially announced on the discipline's website that their common adventure will end at the end of this season. Would hard cash have had an effect?

For the moment, we don't know where the Turk will be heading in 2024, but the Munich option is on everyone's minds... There remains this announcement which will shake up the transfer market, since here is the factory Yamaha forced to go in search of a new leader... For Toprak, it is also the putting to rest of its ambitions to enter MotoGP in the short term... " I would like to thank the entire Yamaha family for the love and respect shown to me » announces the one who was titled with the brand in WSBK at the end of the 2021 campaign. “ Winning the World Championship was my dream when I signed with Yamaha, and we achieved that goal together ».

Toprak Razgatlioglu: “ for next season, I feel like I need a new challenge« 

« For next season I feel I need a new challenge and although there was an opportunity in MotoGP, I didn't feel the same connection with MotoGP that I have with Superbike » he adds. “ But if I have to stay World SBK, then I need a new goal, a new ambition. I'm sorry to leave Yamaha, both the brand and the people, because we have a very good relationship, but change is part of any sport and normal for any professional. So I thank Yamaha Motor Company, Yamaha Motor Europe, Yamaha Motor Turkiye, the Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK team and especially my group, who worked so hard for me ».

Andrea Dosoli, Road Racing Manager at Yamaha Motor Europe, declared: “ we will be sorry to see Toprak Razgatlioglu leave Yamaha at the end of this season. We wanted to continue this incredibly successful partnership, culminating in the Triple Crown of driver, constructor and team world titles that we won together in 2021.. We made what we felt was an offer that properly reflected Toprak's value as a rider and ambassador for Yamaha, as well as the competitiveness of our racing package and racing strategy within WorldSBK ».

« However, as negotiations progressed, it became clear to both parties that Toprak was motivated to take on a new challenge in 2024 and we respect his decision. Although we will part ways at the end of the year, we are now fully focused on the battle for the 2023 WorldSBK title, which will resume soon in Misano. Finally, I would like to thank Toprak on behalf of Yamaha but also personally, for his invaluable contribution to our WorldSBK project. His first World Champion title in 2021 was a just reward for him but also for all the people who, since our return to WorldSBK in 2016, have worked so hard to make this project a success. It's a memory that everyone at Yamaha will cherish. We wish Toprak all the best for the future but, for now, we have a job to finish ».