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SBK, Toprak: "The MotoGP makes you more famous. I hope to battle with Martin when I get there."

"I don't think I'm a Superbike legend. Rea has done an amazing job for so many years. Winning with three different brands? I'd think about it, but the priority is the MotoGP, and I don't think I'm going there with BMW."

SBK: Toprak:

A decade from their challenges in the Red Bull Rookies Cup, Toprak Razgatlioglu and Jorge Martin met again last week at the FIM Awards, after having won in the Superbike and MotoGP, respectively. A meeting that could be the prelude to new, future battles between the two champions ... or, at least, that's what Razgatlioglu hopes.

"We're still friends, and I'm very happy that Jorge won the title. He was already very fast in the Rookies Cup. My only problem in the Rookies was that I was very tall, too tall," the Turkish rider commented during an interview with Mrca"He did an amazing job in the Rookies and now. I hope to start battling with him when I get to the MotoGP, but I can't say that right now."

Although the two-time world champion has never hidden his great desire to change paddocks, his future still remains to be defined.

"I don't think I'd go to the MotoGP with BMW, because, if I were to go, it would be in 2027 or 2028. Maybe, in the future, we'll meet again but, for now, I can't say I'll be going to the MotoGP. We have to find a good contract, otherwise, I'll stay in the Superbike. I don't know. We'll see in six or seven months,"  Toprak explained, convinced that 2026 represents the deadline for him to land in the MotoGP: "Yes, because of my age. Going there in 2026 would be perfect. Otherwise, I'll continue to be a Superbike rider. Winning the title with three different brands? If I stayed in the championship, I would also think about that, but my primary goal is the MotoGP."

Although the MotoGP's premier class is his goal, Razgatlioglu isn't entirely convinced that Carmelo Ezpeleta is right in stating that "the best riders in the world are in the MotoGP."

"Maybe it's true, because the MotoGP is more famous. I've seen many MotoGP riders who've gone to Superbike, and I've seen many with different levels. I don't need to say anything about me, because they saw me this year. Other riders rode the BMW, but we won the title," he stressed. "The MotoGP is completely different and makes you more famous, but the Superbike is also a world championship. I don't completely agree with him, because there are so many riders in both World Championships. I'm not saying I'm the best in the world, but they all have a lot of talent, especially in the MotoGP, and they push themselves to the limit. If I go to the MotoGP and adapt to the bike, we'll see. It's a different world."

As he himself recalled, the 27-year-old Turk accomplished a great feat by giving BMW its first World Superbike title, repeating the success he achieved in 2021 with Yamaha. But is this enough for Razgatlioglu to consider himself a championship legend?

"I don't think so, because Rea has done an extraordinary job for many years. I agree that I've done many different things and won two titles. The last one was very special, because nobody believed in me and BMW. Also, it was something historic," he replied. "It wasn't an easy season, because I was always telling myself that I had to prove something by signing for BMW. In the end, I'm happy because I showed everyone my power and the BMW's. It was a team effort. I worked hard, and BMW was very eager to win the title. The factory did a great job and worked hard. I hope we'll win the title again next year."

Confirming himself at this year's level may not be so easy for Toprak who, nonetheless, is convinced that he raised the bar compared to 2023 when he fought hard against Alvaro Bautista's Ducati.

"Maybe we didn't struggle, but the lap times were faster than the previous year. And on all circuits, not just one. So I knew that we were very fast and very strong," he noted. "In 2023, there were some great duels with Bautista, but he was out of it this year. I don't know why. He fell a lot, while he's usually very strong. Only Alvaro was slower this year. The others were faster. I hope he'll come back strong, and we can fight like in 2023."

 

Translated by Leila Myftija

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