SIGNING TO CHAMPION: Toprak Razgatlioglu and BMW’s history-making journey from the very start
From the first pen to paper to the top step within the opening two rounds together and then Champions by October, it’s nothing short of remarkable as Razgatlioglu and BMW make history
It’s been a sensation journey from signing in 2023, winning in just his fourth race and being crowned World Champion for a second time and becoming BMW’s first but in the space of less than 18 months, Toprak Razgatlioglu’s (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) daring switch to the German manufacturer has paid dividends. Crowned Champion of the world for a second time – following his 2021 success with Yamaha – the Turkish star has raised the bar in WorldSBK, painting one of the most successful and remarkable change of manufacturers in recent rounds.
2023’S BIG SIGNING
MONDAY, MAY 22nd: out of the blue and going to BMW – “I hope we win the Championship”
With just one win so far in 2023, ‘El Turco’ had taken part in a MotoGP™ test for Yamaha but the comments were mixed, with Toprak’s style needing to adapt to the MotoGP™ needs. With a door seemingly shut – for the moment – Toprak stated that if he is to stay in WorldSBK, then he needs a new challenge. That challenge came in the form of BMW with one of the biggest transfers the Championship had ever seen. As round five at Misano beckoned, it was our first chance to talk with Toprak and key BMW people about the move. Toprak eluded to the reasons, saying: I say if I stay in WorldSBK, I need a new challenge. This is good motivation for me, I’m feeling more than 100% motivated. First, I am happy I have signed with a new team. I see people say, ‘this is not a winning bike, this is not easy’. This motivates me more because I listen to some people and I feel more motivated now because now my dream is that, after the first win, I can just ride. It’s possible this is a winning bike. It’s a big dream for me and a big new challenge.” As for his rivals, Alvaro Bautista commented that Toprak “could be the missing link” in the German brand’s quest for success.
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 3rd: the first laps with BMW – “On the first lap, I was just smiling”
After having to wait to see out his Yamaha contract, Toprak’s first taste of the BMW M 1000 RR came at Portimao in December, 2023. After a mechanical issue in his first run, Toprak was able to hit the track with his first words being that “on the first lap, I was just smiling”, something that clearly showed good signs from the start. For the likes of Shaun Muir, team principal, he said that with the positive first comments, “our time has to come” and how right he’d go on to be.
2024’S NEW ERA
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 17th: BMW’s team launch in Berlin – “The mission is clear”
Germany’s capital was the stage for the 2021 World Champion’s livery unveiling alongside good friend Michael van der Mark as well as the Bonovo Action BMW team of Scott Redding and Garrett Gerloff. However, those who were talking about Toprak, such as Muir, Bongers and BMW’s Technical Director Chris Gonschor, were all excited with what is a new era for the German manufacturer. Muir said that “Toprak brings a certain quality to the team that we’ve perhaps not had before”, whereas Marc Bongers stated that “the pressure is on but we don’t crack under pressure and we go for it.” However, it was Gonschor who set out the big claim from the start: “The mission is clear; we want to win the Championship title.” A stark warning for BMW’s competition…
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 25th: Razgatlioglu’s first podium in maiden weekend with BMW
A fine performance in the Tissot Superpole Race from Toprak saw him hold off Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) in a straight line on the last lap – the irony from the last races of 2023 – to take third in just his second race with the manufacturer. It was an impressive performance from Razgatlioglu but a Race 2 engine failure meant his maiden weekend was “50/50”.
SATURDAY, MARCH 23rd: THE FIRST WIN – “It’s been my dream”
In an absolute classic World Superbike race, one of the greatest we’d ever seen, Toprak stormed to victory in a mesmerising last lap. Coming from over four seconds adrift in the last six laps in what was a battle of tyre wear, the Turk pounced on Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati), after the rookie went too hard and too soon. Speaking of the win, Toprak hailed it a “dream” to win in Barcelona for the first time and to do it at what had historically been BMW’s worst track. Read all of BMW’s key personnel’s thoughts! For the Superpole Race, in a final lap battle for the ages, Razgatlioglu left it until the final corner to pass Alvaro Bautista after the showdown to end all showdowns, emulating Valentino Rossi’s famous winning pass against Jorge Lorenzo in the 2009 Catalan MotoGP™ race.
Round 4 of the 2024 season came from Misano and right from the test at the track prior to the round, Toprak was on the pace. However, not many could’ve predicted such an emphatic display during the Pirelli Emilia-Romagna Round as Razgatlioglu eased his way to three wins and the Championship lead, the first time for BMW in 12 years, their first-ever triple and Toprak’s first since 2022. Can his success continue for the #54?
After 12 straights wins, dominating the opening half of the season and putting together some of the most memorable race-winning celebrations, Razgatlioglu’s season came crashing to shuddering halt in a scary FP2 crash at Magny-Cours. Despite miraculously walking away, the #54 was hospitalised as the entirety of the BMW squad held their breath. Unfit for Magny-Cours and withdrawn by the team at Cremona in order to aid his recovery, it was six races out where all he could do was watch from afar. He was back with a bang at Aragon though, returning with three P2s and extending his Championship lead, meaning that Estoril was Championship point number one.
SATURDAY, 19th OCTOBER: Razgatlioglu becomes BMW’s FIRST-EVER WorldSBK Champion
A remarkable day in Spain and the Prometeon Spanish Round. Following a first win back since injury on the Saturday at Estoril and winning again on Sunday afternoon, Razgatlioglu carried a 46 point-lead into Saturday at Jerez, meaning Race 1 was an opportunity to reclaim the Championship and make BMW history. He did so, taking home a P2 behind title rival Bulega to make history as BMW’s first World Champion in WorldSBK.
Congratulate Toprak across social media with #BackOnTOPrak! Get ready for 2025 and Toprak’s title defence with the WorldSBK VideoPass!
