Toprak Razgatlıoğlu, the 2024 World Superbike (WSBK) champion, has his sights set on retaining his title subsequent season as he continues to dominate the game.
The Turkish bike star claimed the WSBK title with 527 factors, ending forward of Nicolo Bulega (484 factors) and Alvaro Bautista (357 factors).
Razgatlıoğlu’s exceptional season included 27 podiums, 18 wins, 7 second-place finishes, and a couple of third-place finishes.
As the reigning champion, he’ll carry the coveted “1” quantity on his bike for the upcoming season, aiming to defend his crown.
Having secured the title with a record-breaking 13 consecutive wins, Razgatlıoğlu asserted that his efficiency validated his place as “Number 1.” Reflecting on his journey, he shared, “It’s an incredible story. For me, this world championship holds great significance.”
Despite doubts about his potential when he switched from Yamaha to BMW at first of the season, Razgatlıoğlu exceeded expectations, reaching the unthinkable and securing the championship in his first yr with the staff.
“Nobody predicted it, but here we are,” he stated. “Even my competitors were happy for me. Everyone loves us. My former team, Yamaha, wasn’t thrilled, but they couldn’t keep me. When I moved to BMW, they didn’t believe we could succeed. But, because of the way I am, I was congratulated by everyone. It wasn’t just about the championship, but about who I am as a person.”
Razgatlıoğlu’s victory marked a brand new chapter in his profession, with BMW now anticipating continued success. “When I joined BMW, they were hoping for success, but I didn’t expect to win the championship in my first year,” he admitted. “Now, we’ve earned the right to carry the ‘1’ and we have to work even harder. Staying at the top is harder than getting there.”
Looking forward to 2025, Razgatlıoğlu expressed his willpower to defend his title, saying, “The season starts in late February, and if everything goes as planned, we will fight for the championship again.” He emphasised the significance of sustaining their place on the high and maintaining the “1” quantity on his bike for the next yr.
Razgatlıoğlu additionally spoke about his youthful brother, Bahattin Sofuoğlu, who will be a part of the championship subsequent season. “I don’t see Bahattin as a competitor because he’s my brother,” he stated. “I will help him as much as I can in Superbike. It’s his first season, and I’ll be there for him as his older brother.”
Describing the championship feeling as one thing particular, he added, “The season lasts 10 months, and every race is important. It’s going to be a tough process, but we will give it our best. Kenan (Sofuoğlu) paved the way for us; he made us proud with five world championships. We follow in his footsteps, and his success is our success. We will continue making him proud.”
Looking to the longer term, Razgatlıoğlu shared his long-term targets. “I have a dream of five world titles, but I’m focused on the present,” he stated. “I’ve already won my second title, and I have 10 years ahead of me. If everything goes well, maybe I can win 2-3 more world championships in that time. One world title was my dream.”
Source: www.dailysabah.com