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Concluding an incredible season in which he won his second career World Championship, the first with BMW, Toprak Ragatlioglu couldn't miss being at the Bavarian manufacturer's stand at EICMA in Milan. The perfect setting to meet fans and present the M 1000 RR Competition Champion Edition, made to celebrate the Turkish rider's victory. "I'm very happy to be back at EICMA after many years. This is my first time here at the BMW booth. There are so many new bikes, and I'm very happy to be here," he told us at the fair.
Is it special for you to be here with BMW?
"Yes. Not only with BMW. I'm world champion again after several years, but they also produced a special edition of the bike in only 54 pieces. We held the press conference here, and it was really incredible for me, because it's the first time BMW has come out with a special edition. I'm really happy."
You arrived here after an incredible season. How would you describe it in a nutshell?
"I don't know. I never thought about it before. It wasn't an easy season but, in the end, we won the title. We're world champions, and I think it's great for the BMW brand."
Does it bother you that there are people who think you won because Bautista had to face the ballast while BMW had superconcessions?
"BMW is still working now. They improved the bike and produced a new one. It's positive, because I told everyone that we're world xhampions, but we have to keep working for next year. It's not all over, because we'll sport the number one next season, and we have to keep it even at the end of the year. Everyone is pushing, though, and that's nice, because they're very eager to win another world championship. We'll see next year. I haven't tried the new bike yet, but they're all working hard, and it's improving a lot. It's not easy to give feedback on the bike in a race configuration, since I haven't tried it. Maybe you'll see it in 2025."
Will you also test a new engine and what other parts?
"I tried the standard M 1000 RR, but I don't know how the race one was because, when I went to Aragon for the test, it was raining heavily, so the session was cancelled and I went home. We'll have a test day, but I don't know when. I'm waiting for an answer from the team. I'll only ride the new bike to give some feedback."
What expectations do you have for next season?
"My goal is fourteen consecutive wins. I'll try to break the record again and win the title again. We'll see."
You said your goal for the future is to ride in the MotoGP.
"Yes, that's my dream. Maybe in 2026, but I don't know. We'll have to talk to the MotoGP teams, prepare a contract ... We'll see in the future."
Iannone and Bautista in Sepang showed that it's complex for an SBK rider to jump into a championship with a high level like the MotoGP. Does that worry you a little?
"It's a good thing, and I saw that Iannone did a very good job after a long time, and I'm very happy for him. We'll see in the future, though. It's not easy for me to say something, because I'll still be riding for BMW next year. We'll see in 2026."
