Toprak Razgatlioglu, the Turkish speedster, etched his name in World Superbike Championship (WSBK) history in 2024, clinching the coveted title. His journey to the pinnacle of motorcycle racing was marked by unwavering determination, raw talent, and a relentless pursuit of excellence.
Early Days and Rising Star
Born in Antalya, Turkey, Razgatlioglu’s passion for motorcycles was ignited at a young age. He honed his skills on local tracks and quickly emerged as a promising talent. His impressive performances caught the attention of international teams, and he made the leap to the World Supersport Championship in 2016.
Razgatlioglu’s time in Supersport was a stepping stone to greater achievements. He consistently challenged for podium finishes and displayed a remarkable ability to adapt to different tracks. His performances earned him a promotion to the WorldSBK class in 2018.
A Breakout Season and Title Contender
Razgatlioglu’s debut season in WorldSBK was a mixed bag, but he showed glimpses of his immense potential. However, it was in 2020 that he truly announced his arrival on the world stage. Riding for the Pata Yamaha WorldSBK Team, Razgatlioglu consistently challenged the established order and emerged as a serious title contender.
His aggressive riding style, combined with his exceptional racecraft, earned him admiration from fans and competitors alike. Razgatlioglu’s ability to push the limits of his motorcycle and his unwavering determination made him a force to be reckoned with.
The 2024 Championship challenge
The 2024 season was Razgatlioglu’s year to shine. He dominated the championship from the outset, showcasing his exceptional speed and race-winning prowess. His consistency throughout the season was remarkable, as he claimed numerous victories and podium finishes.
Razgatlioglu’s title-winning campaign was not without its challenges. He faced fierce competition from experienced riders like Bautista and the rookie Bulega, but his unwavering belief in himself and his abilities propelled him to the top. His victory in the 2024 WorldSBK Championship cemented his status as one of the greatest Turkish athletes of all time.
Toprak Razgatlioglu, ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team : “I want to say thank you to the entire BMW family because we had an incredible year. The season finale was an amazing event. We are World Champions – this was the end to a very long season and a very successful year in which we also had 13 wins in a row. We never gave up, and also today after the sprint race, we were working hard with the team. We changed the set-up of the bike and we tried something to get the win. In the race, I had a very good package and we did it – we won again. And I wanted to win the last race of the season. Usually Ducati is very strong here but we beat them again so everybody understood that BMW is really strong at all race weekends. It was incredible to be on the podium together with Mickey. It was dream, together with the team, to share the podium and it finally came true. He is a very great guy and he is pushing so hard at every race weekend. After his big injury, he is trying to come back and he has shown everyone what a strong rider he is. We are working together very well and I hope that we can race for the podium together again next year.”
Markus Flasch, Head of BMW Motorrad: “Today is a milestone for our brand. We celebrate our first WorldSBK championship title with Toprak! Congratulations to Toprak and everyone who tirelessly contributed to this incredible achievement –the entire BMW Motorrad Motorsport team in Munich and Berlin, the ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team led by Shaun Muir, and the BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Test Team. What Toprak showed this season was more than impressive and proves what an outstanding athlete and person he is. From the start, he and BMW Motorrad Motorsport proved to be a successful combination. We provided him with the perfect bike, the M 1000 RR, and with his unique riding skills, he left his mark on the season. Equally impressive is his mental strength, fighting his way back after a severe crash. At the same time, he’s simply a great guy and rightly a true fan favorite: humble, funny, and always hard-working. Together with the team and our engineers, after every success, he looked for ways to improve further. The reward is this well-deserved World Championship title.”
