RiderTua.com – BMW newcomer Toprak Razgatlioglu has successfully won 3 times and climbed the podium 6 times in the first 9 races of the 2024 Superbike season. Currently the rider from Turkey is in 2nd place, only 6 points behind the leader Alvaro Bautista (Ducati).
In the past, the first 3 circuits this year, namely Phillip Island, Barcelona and Assen, were not circuits that were suitable for BMW. “I didn’t expect to win at Assen. But we did a very good job, also thanks to my team. All our people worked hard, our package was the result of team work. I’m happy we did a test there before the race at Misano. Hopefully we can find good coordination and then fight for victory. I am in 2nd place in the championship, but I take it race by race,” said Toprak.
Toprak Razgatlioglu: I Am World Champion in 2021, but Not as Fast as Now
To bridge the long break of almost 8 weeks between races in Assen at the end of April and then to Misano in mid-June, the teams in the World Superbike Championship will test on 23-24 May at the new track in Cremona and on 30-31 May in Misano.
For information, the BMW team will be divided into 2. The Bonovo team with Scott Redding and Garrett Gerloff will undergo testing in Cremona, while the ROKiT team with Toprak Razgatlioglu and Michael van der Mark will undergo testing in Misano.
Toprak said, “In 2021 I will be world champion, but not as fast as now. Everyone learns something new every day, I am becoming more experienced and better. Now I understand BMW and know how to control it. I think I am better than at that time.”
The 27 year old rider continued that weight regulations had little effect. However, the fact that the BMW is faster on a straight track makes a big difference for him. The BMW doesn’t have as much grip as the Ducati, so they still have to improve the electronics a bit. They also do the same thing.
Toprak is very happy to be able to sign a contract with BMW. “I hope we can become world champions together this year,” he said.
At the Misano test, Toprak wanted to pay special attention to how the electronic engine brake and normal brakes work. “This is not a big problem, but we have to fix it. We are developing step by step, in any area,” concluded Kenan Sofuoglu’s team.
