"I believe we will continue in WorldSBK… WorldSBK is Toprak’s home" – Sofuoglu on Razgatlioglu’s future
Ahead of the Dutch Round, Toprak Razgatlioglu tested a Yamaha M1 at Jerez with talk about a potential MotoGP™ move swirling
The MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship is back in full swing at the iconic TT Circuit Assen for the Pirelli Dutch Round and one topic is being spoken about a lot: Toprak Razgatlioglu’s (Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK) MotoGP™ test at the Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto which took place shortly before the Dutch Round. The test was at a private MotoGP™ test and Razgatlioglu was alongside Yamaha test rider Cal Crutchlow at the Spanish circuit.
The test was Razgatlioglu’s second on the Yamaha M1 machine but his first full days of action on the MotoGP™ bike after the first one was impacted by rain at MotorLand Aragon. Team Manager Paul Denning revealed he completed 110 laps when he spoke during WorldSBK Free Practice 1 and Razgatlioglu gave more details about the test when speaking to the media on Thursday ahead of track action in the Netherlands.
During the Dutch Round, Kenan Sofuoglu, a five-time WorldSSP Champion and Razgatlioglu’s manager, provided an updated on the 2021 Champion’s future on Saturday. Sofuoglu, who raced in WorldSBK in 2008 and also ventured into the MotoGP™ paddock for two seasons in Moto2™ between 2010 and 2011 explained how the first target is to stay with Yamaha and that he believes “we will continue in WorldSBK”.
He said: “Our first choice is to continue with Yamaha. We will start speaking about Toprak’s future from our side and also from Yamaha’s side. The first goal is to do a deal together and then we have to decide where to go, MotoGP™ or WorldSBK. This is on the table. I am always telling him to stay in WorldSBK. Many years ago, I took Toprak with me and I built him for WorldSBK. I didn’t build him for MotoGP™. He is very talented, maybe more talented than many MotoGP™ riders, but MotoGP™ is a different world. I believe to be a MotoGP™ rider, you need to grow there. From the Red Bull Rookies Cup, Moto3™, Moto2™ and MotoGP™.
“Toprak grew here. WorldSBK is Toprak’s home. I am telling Toprak, ‘we built you for WorldSBK and you can, for the next 10 years, have a big career here’. I always advise to stay in WorldSBK but I’m also respecting his dream. Maybe he’s in between and doesn’t know exactly what to do. We are just speaking. He will make a decision, but I believe we will continue in WorldSBK.”
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