Toprak Razgatlioglu has broken into the posh and very exclusive club of riders that we are looking for in the world of motorcycle speed. His virile but correct style is his trademark and through which a talent is expressed which allows him, now 24 years old, to assert himself as a WSBK World Champion. MotoGP is watching him closely, starting with Yamaha, the brand for which he brought home a title for an R1 which had not been at such a celebration since 2009 and Ben Spies. The Turk looks back on his journey while we are still waiting for his first test with an M1…
Toprak Razgatlioglu is a formidable competitor with nerves of steel. Thus, and while his style of piloting initially shook up the habits of established values Jonathan Rhea et Scott Redding, he ended up making his mark and gaining respect: “ It hasn't been an easy season, I know, even for Johnny » mentions the WSBK World Champion. “ I think he felt a lot of pressure this season. He also fell, made big mistakes… »
« I like Johnny, I think he's a Superbike hero, a legend, six times world champion » he specifies. It wasn't easy to wrest the Superbike title from the Northern Irishman. Particularly during the weekend in Catalonia, where he had problems with the electronics of his R1. “ I was very angry because it was the first time I was very fast. With the problem in the last laps it was not possible to finish the race » he remembers.
But it also experienced some other unfavorable twists and turns. Including this accident at Assen, when he was eliminated by Garrett gerloff. Toprak Razgatlioglu felt that everything was compromised and was then overcome by doubt. “ We weren't thinking about the championship. We just focused on the race. We just tried to win. And after the accident in Assen I focused only on the race… I always watch Kenan, he's my hero, he always helps me. I'm very lucky to have him » he assures about his mentor Sofuoglu.
Its asset is therefore its aggressive style, particularly when braking, where, in various circumstances, it made the difference. Several times Jonathan Rhea et Scott Redding complained about the Turkish pilot's approach, but everything was within the limits of the regulations. Trying to imitate him is not easy for anyone. “ I like stop and go type tracks and slow corners, braking hard and trying to open the throttle very early. Someone says 'it's very dangerous', but I don't think so because I will never crash into other drivers… I think it’s very important ". recalls Toprak on Corsedimoto.
Toprak Razgatlioglu soon to be Yamaha reserve driver in MotoGP?
Toprak Razgatlioglu has very little to improve on his riding style, but one Achilles heel remains to be resolved in view of the next Superbike season: riding on a wet track. However, he has already done what is essential to conquer hearts in MotoGP and in particular that of a Razlan Razali who always thinks about integrating him into its ranks, even under a less posh WITHU awning than Petronas: “ I like Toprak. At the same time, I respected and understood that he wanted to achieve his goal first in WSBK before launching into MotoGP,” admits the Malaysian.
Corn (Mais) Toprak Razgatlioglu could he sometimes test for the new WITHU Yamaha team in 2022 and step in as a replacement rider, as Michael van der Mark sometimes did as a Yamaha SBK rider at Tech3-Yamaha during the Zarco and Folger era? “ There were some clashes in the Superbike World Championship and MotoGP calendar in 2021. This is why Toprak was never able to make substitutions. But I think if he had been World Superbike Champion in time he would have signed with us for 2022 ", Explain Razali. To be continued ?
