Kenan Sofuoglu: "BMW is the one that can beat Ducati"
The 5-time WorldSSP Champion was on-site for the BMW launch in Berlin and had nothing but praise for his protégé Toprak Razgatlioglu and the Bavarian brand
The first person to talk up the possibility of a move to BMW in the early months of 2023, Kenan Sofuoglu’s confidence in the project has far from waned in the months that followed. If anything, seeing all the pieces fall into place may have only emboldened the 5-time WorldSSP Champion that little bit more.
With just five days remaining until Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) takes to the track for his first test of 2024 – the first time that he’ll square up the M 1000 RR to the rest of the grid, including perennial rivals Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) and Jonathan Rea (Pata Prometeon Yamaha) – the manager and mentor to the Turkish star has been encouraged by what he’s seen so far. A long road lays ahead, but the anticipation is palpable.
“When I see in this place how excited everybody is, how they can’t wait to start the season, I think that’s what we need”, said Sofuoglu at the BMW launch event in Berlin, last Wednesday. “I believe that we needed this, especially from Toprak’s side. We had four great seasons with Yamaha, but Toprak needed a new challenge”.
Everyone involved in the project – BMW management and Razgatlioglu himself – has spoken highly of the 27-year-old’s first contact with the bike back in December. Unsurprisingly, for Sofuoglu: “Toprak is a young and fresh boy. Whatever bike he sits on, I believe he will adapt to it. The BMW is a very different bike, and many people have some ideas about BMW. We have a different idea about BMW”.
“We believe we will be even stronger on this bike. We believe we will give a hard time to Bautista with this bike, he’s been very strong these last two seasons. I think BMW is the one that can beat Ducati; maybe not immediately, but in the end, I believe we can be Champions with BMW”.
TARGETING THE TOP: podiums from Day 1, the Championship over two years
Sofuoglu – a multiple World Champion with two different manufacturers in the WorldSSP class – is well aware of some of the difficulties that Toprak may find in the early stages on the M 1000 RR, and how those speed bumps can affect a title challenge. Even when stating short-term targets, Sofuoglu is clear that the long-term goal is over two years.
“From the first day we did a two-year contract because of that. The first year can be difficult, we expect this. This doesn’t mean we will be off the podium; I believe Toprak will be always fighting for the podium, at least. It’s like with the Yamaha, we were on the podium every race.
“Winning is a little bit difficult. We know why. Bautista is very strong. When we were on the Yamaha, it was very difficult to beat Bautista for the win. But personally, I believe in Toprak more than everyone. For that reason, I believe Toprak will surprise everyone. He’ll start with a podium… It can also be a win”.
How will Toprak Razgatlioglu debut on the M 1000 RR? Follow all of pre-season and the first round of the 2024 season with WorldSBK VideoPass!
