A WorldSBK earthquake. Coming shortly after confirmation that Toprak Razgatlioglu and Yamaha are to part ways, here comes the next bombshell – the Turkish rider is signing a contract with BMW for the 2024 SBK season. A move that had been in the air for a while and that, there’s no denying, will be of interest to many. Onlookers will be keen to see the effect this has on the riders’ market but also, and particularly, in seeing whether the hiring of the former WorldSBK champion can help the German manufacturer to truly take flight in the production-derived series.
BMW: "Looking forward to a future together"
“Welcome to the BMW Motorrad Motorsport family, Toprak Razgatlioglu,” said Dr. Markus Schramm, Head of BMW Motorrad. “We are delighted to welcome him to our WorldSBK factory squad from next season on. I am very proud that Toprak has opted to join BMW Motorrad. This is a forward-looking step for our project and a strong commitment of BMW Motorrad Motorsport in World Superbike.”
Marc Bongers, BMW Motorrad Motorsport Director: “Toprak is undoubtedly one of the best riders in the field at the moment, which he not only proved by winning the 2021 World Championship title. But he’s not just a fast motorcycle racer, he’s also a great personality off the track. We are convinced that Toprak will settle into the BMW Motorrad Motorsport family very quickly. We are looking forward to our collaboration and to our future together.”