The Superbike World Championship is preparing to lose one of its biggest names: Toprak Razgatlioglu, champion and undisputed star of the category, will leave the series' derivative motorcycle paddock at the end of the 2025 season to join MotoGP. A page is turning for an entire championship that saw him as a charismatic and spectacular ambassador. But the next generation is emerging with his compatriot Can Öncü.
In the shadow of this departure, another Turk is nurturing growing ambitions: Can Öncü. At only 22 years old, the rider is considered a diamond in the rough. Winner of the Red Bull Rookies Cup in 2018, he had already caused a sensation that same year by winning, as a wildcard, the Moto3 World Championship finale in Valencia. Since then, his pure speed has intrigued and impressed, even if his consistency remains to be perfected.
For now, his future remains dependent on the decisions of those around him. Kenan Sofuoglu, historic manager of the Turkish speed stars (and mentor of Razgatlioglu), seems to want to retain Öncü another year in Supersport to allow him to definitively establish himself as a champion before attacking WorldSBK. Yamaha, for its part, has not made anything official but is working on his integration in the long term.
Can Öncü: “ I have no idea what I'm going to do »
« I have no idea what I'm going to do ", confided Öncü during the Aragon weekend. When I ask Kenan, he says he'll keep me posted. Him and Yamaha always make me wait. But I'm sure they'll make the best possible decision for me. »
Always close to Toprak Razgatlioglu, Can knows he can count on his advice, even after the latter's departure to the MotoGP.
« Our friendship will last. We'll talk on the phone and he'll give us advice. Of course, it's a bit of a shame, because he's the best driver in the championship.. But I will do my best to perpetuate his legacy here. ", did he declare.
The challenge is immense: to make people forget a rider who redefined Superbike riding with his breathtaking braking and spectacular victories. But Öncü, supported by Sofuoglu et Yamaha , could well become the next big Turkish star of the WSBK.
