Toprak Razgatlioglu has set his eyes on a possible move to MotoGP next year amid his dominant run of impressive performances so far in 2024 WorldSBK.
According to his manager Kenan Sofuoglu, World Superbike points leader Toprak Razgatlioglu wants to capitalize on his remarkable current form in the production bike championship to secure his way into MotoGP as soon as 2025.
Since making his breakthrough as a top-ranking Superbike rider, Razgatlioglu has been a constant backdrop figure in MotoGP rider market debates. However, it seemed like he had given up on his dreams of racing in grand prix events after he parted ways with Yamaha last year, just after testing their MotoGP bike.
However, given BMW’s blatant hints at a possible MotoGP entry for its new regulations in 2027 along with the 27-year-old Turk’s immediate impact as a BMW rider, has given him the avenue to possibly make the transition.
But five-time World Supersport champion Kenan Sofuoglu who also happens to be the rider’s manager now says his protégé is looking to pursue a MotoGP career as soon as possible, according to German publication Speedweek.
Remarkably, Sofuoglu has stated that he has already informed BMW about Razgatlioglu’s intentions to leave WorldSBK championship at the end of this year.
“Things are going very, very, very well with BMW, this chapter takes us to another level,” Sofuoglu said. “There is a lot of interest in Toprak in the MotoGP paddock, already for next year.
“We have a two-year contract with BMW, but I have already informed BMW that we want to leave the Superbike World Championship at the end of this year and move to MotoGP. I explained to them that this is Toprak’s wish.”
The BMW WorldSBK program has advanced significantly after Razgatlioglu joined the brand. Between the beginning of 2014 and the end of last year, it had only secured one race win; however, the 2021 superbike champion has already won six of his 12 starts with the team, the most recent being a commanding three-race sweep at Misano.
He is currently leading the championship standings a third of the way through the calendar. However, he remains within one full race’s worth of points ahead of Ducati’s Nicolo Bulega and Alvaro Bautista, whose dominance over the previous years has been curtailed due to new weight regulations.
“Our goal with BMW was to win the world championship during these two seasons,” added Kenan. “But things are already going very well, Toprak’s performances are outstanding.
“He wants to use this moment in his life to make the change. That’s what I told BMW. But we don’t yet know exactly how it will work, we have to reach an agreement with BMW.
“This is also about the future, we all know that BMW wants to enter the MotoGP World Championship. If everyone agrees to Toprak’s wishes, then I will try to make this wish come true.”
While his stay at BMW Motorrad has been confirmed for 2025, everything could still change, possibly leading to a move to MotoGP with Honda. The Japanese manufacturer is reported to be very interested in Razgatlioglu and may have even made an offer to Sofuoglu.
It appears that he is more focused on becoming the WSBK champion with BMW than transitioning to MotoGP in 2025. Although his manager denies that a formal deal is yet to come, there are rumors that Joan Mir might have already extended his contract.
In that case, it would indicate that either no opening is available or Luca Marini – whose contract is set to expire at the end of next year, is leaving early.
