[WSBK] Toprak Razgatlioglu in the footsteps of giant Kenan Sofuoglu

Supersport World Champion in 2007 and 2010 on Honda Ten Kate, then in 2012, 2015 and 2016 on Kawasaki, Kenan Sofuoglu made a whole generation of young Turks dream, eager to weld the handle and conquer the podiums. Born in Sakarya on October 16, 1996, the young Toprak Razgatlioglu had the inevitable poster of Sofuoglu stuck on his bedroom wall, and he began by winning four Turkish Motocross Championships before taking to the asphalt in 600 cc at 3 years.

We saw him in the Yamaha R6 Dunlop Cup, then in 2013 in the Red Bull Rookies Cup, in the Turkish Supermoto Championship, then he won the last European Superstock 600 Championship in 2015, already on Kawasaki. After a stint in Superstock 1000 in 2016 and 2017, he made the big jump to WorldSBK in 2018 with Kawasaki Puccetti Racing. For his first season Razgatlioglu confirmed his talent by finishing third in Argentina and second in the United Kingdom.

This year, he attacked head on, achieving the best time of the first half day from Jerez. He finished the second day sixth, 0.7 behind Stefan bradl who was riding a MotoGP RCV213. He then ranked ninth in the Portimao tests. Its equipment is supposed to be identical to that available to the official KRT team. “ My package is one of the best on the market and in every race we can progress together. I will work hard on myself to achieve better results soon » assures Toprak. Last year he finished second at Donington, 0.3 ahead of Jonathan Rea.

“The Portimão tests went well for me, estimated the Turk, although I didn't get to try many tires. My lap time was satisfactory in that I was consistent and consistent. But that wasn't the case with all tires, so we need to improve that. »

“We tested a new bike, with a new engine and new suspension, and I hope it will bring something positive from Phillip Island. I hope this year to be on the podium more often than the two times last year. But it's really difficult because the level of the World Superbike Championship is high ».

Toprak's father sadly died in a motorcycle accident last year. “He was always very supportive of me. It’s all thanks to him. My father really liked this sport. Thanks to him I learned. He wanted me to be World Champion. And World Champion, I can tell my father that for him I will be one day. This is what I want most ».

The first two days of testing in Australia will take place on Monday February 18 and Tuesday February 19, before the race weekend itself which takes place from February 22-24.

Toprak with 2018 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup Champion Can Öncü and Kenan Sofuoglu

With Johnny Rea.

Photos © Red Bull, Turkish Puccetti Racing, Turkish Federation

Sources: Turkish Puccetti Racing, worldsbk.com