The talented Toprak Razgatlioglu took on a new dimension, early on, alongside an Indonesia that shook the whole of Turkey. The rough diamond of Kenan Sofuoglu's finery, who takes good care of his flock sportingly, economically, but also politically, gave the sweep that made his reputation in a category which had been dominated for six seasons by Jonathan Rea. The latter fell with honors. But he will have difficulty regaining his crown, facing this competitor, as strong as a Turk.
At 25 years, 1 months and 5 days, Razgatlioglu became the third youngest champion in the Superbike category, behind James Toseland (23 years 11 months and 28 days, 2004) and Troy Corser (24 years 11 months, 1996). He started his career by competing in the IDM Yamaha R6 Cup and Turkish 600cc Road Racing Championship in 2011 and 2012. He then moved to the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup in 2013 and 2014. He achieved one victory in this category in 2014 during the Sachsenring event, thus demonstrating its potential. Later that year he made his debut in the European Superstock 600 Championship at Magny-Cours as a wildcard, winning his first ever race. It was clear that a future star was emerging. In 2015, he joined the paddock of World SBK by racing full-time in the Superstock 600 class, winning the title in his first season in the class. He then moved to Superstock 1000 for the 2016 and 2017 seasons, finishing second in the standings in his second season and taking victories.
In 2018, he moved up to the premier class with Kawasaki Puccetti Racing, surprising everyone with two podium finishes: a first by beating Jonathan Rea on the final lap of Race 2 at Donington Park and a second at the brand new venue. from San Juan. He was voted rookie of the year. 2019 was an important year in many ways for Razgatlioglu ; he emerged as a real contender and after eight podium finishes he took a maiden victory in a final lap battle with Rea at Magny-Cours, in the Tissot Superpole Race. Finishing the year in fifth position overall with 13 podiums and the Best Independent Rider award, Toprak left Kawasaki to join the ranks of Yamaha and the Pata Yamaha with Brixx WorldSBK team.
Toprak Razgatlioglu: “ce championnat est pour mon père"
In 2020, he finished his first season with Yamaha in fourth place, taking a resounding victory in his first ever race for the team at Phillip Island, before two more followed at the final round of the year at Estoril . In 2021, he achieved 13 victories, 29 podiums and 3 pole positions. With 25 points ahead of its closest competitor Jonathan Rhea, Toprak Razgatlioglu becomes the 2021 WorldSBK Champion, the 18th in the history of the Championship, coincidentally crowned at the 18th title final round.
The new champion will stay with Yamaha until 2023 and both parties will aim to continue challenging numerous records. The objective will be to ensure that Razgatlioglu wins two consecutive titles, in the meantime, perhaps the MotoGP.
Toprak Razgatlioglu, Pata Yamaha avec Brixx WorldSBK a commenté : ” tout d’abord, je veux dire merci à ma famille et à Kenan Sofuoglu, car nous sommes une grande famille. Je remercie également mon équipe, qui a effectué un travail incroyable cette année. Parfois nous nous sommes écrasés, parfois nous avons fait de bonnes courses et finalement nous sommes ici. Je suis vraiment heureux. C’est un jour spécial pour moi aujourd’hui car ce championnat est pour mon père. Ça a toujours été mon rêve. Il n’est plus là, il est décédé, mais je sens qu’il regarde. Je suis vraiment heureux. C’est un jour incroyable pour moi et nous sommes champions du monde. Merci à tous !"
