WSBK anger of Sofuoglu: “Kawasaki disrespects Razgatlioglu”

When the final results of the last 8 Hours of Suzuka with twists and turns validated Kawasaki's victory, jubilation and happiness were not shared by everyone in the Akashi factory box. Because the race was run by two drivers who made up a three-person crew. Left behind was Toprak Razgatlioglu, the young 22-year-old Turkish hopeful whose burst of speed is evident this season in WSBK. A situation which enraged his manager Kenan Sofuoglu…

Did Kawasaki make the mistake you shouldn't make? The manufacturer, by pampering its current champion Jonathan Rhea who is very close with his current teammate Leon Haslam aged 36, will undoubtedly see the one who could have taken over leave: Toprak Razgatlioglu. The latter was part of the adventure at Suzuka, but the greens only offered him a privileged spectator seat, leaving only the two Britons to occupy the ZX-10-R.

A sidelining of the greens which angered the compatriot and manager Sofuoglu : " we are still in talks with the Kawasaki and Yamaha factory teams, nothing has been signed yet " said Sofuoglu. " During the eight-hour race, Kawasaki made a very big mistake. Toprak was one of the fastest drivers on the track, but he didn't have new tires all weekend, just for qualifying. He always had worn tires and therefore no chance of proving himself for the racee ".

The Supersport world record champion told Speedweek: “ I have the feeling that he has no respect for her. The fast drivers tested a lot and spent a week in Japan. Then Toprak had to watch the race for eight hours. We didn't know whether to choose Kawasaki or Yamaha. But after this incident we will probably sign with Yamaha. I spoke to Toprak about this, he agrees with me and is not happy with the way Kawasaki treated him. In qualifying, he had the same times as his teammates. The decision not to let him drive in the race hurt him a lot. I will contact Yamaha this week and we will try to find an agreement ».

With a Razgatlioglu in the paws, Jonathan Rhea would regain the tension experienced in the Kawasaki box from 2015 to 2018 with Tom Sykes. After his 49 races in Superbike, Toprak has taken nine podiums with the Puccetti Kawasaki team and is currently sixth in the World Cup. If the Turk signs with Yamaha, it's Alex Lowes who will have to give up his place.