BMW’s Toprak Razgatlioglu heads to Donington Park this weekend (12-14 July) as the Motul FIM Superbike World Championship leader, after a fine streak of form that has seen him win four races in a row across events at Aragon and Misano.
The Turkish rider, champion in 2021 with Yamaha, has made a fine start to life in his new BMW surroundings, with two further wins at Barcelona in March meaning he’s won six of this year’s opening 12 contests.
All signs point towards more victory success for one of the sport’s most popular riders too. Of the last nine WorldSBK races held at Donington Park, Razgatlioglu has won six of them, including a sensational treble in 2022.
“I’m really happy to return to Donington because this circuit is my favourite track” Razgatlioglu said.
“I am very positive. Last year, I was fighting a lot with the Ducatis but this year it is completely different because now I ride the BMW and the bike is stronger on the straight and in the corners. I am also getting adapted to it now; we still are not at 100 percent but we are getting better every race weekend.”
Unbeatable in recent races, Razgatlioglu hopes his additional experience on the bike will aid his quest for more wins this weekend.
“Especially the recent wins at Misano showed that I am getting stronger, but now we will see how it will be at Donington. I never say a lot before the race. I just say that it is my favourite circuit, I will just try to do my best again like I did at Misano, and I hope that we will win again.
“Usually, I’m very strong on this circuit but we will see how it will be with the BMW M 1000 RR as it will be the first time that I ride it there. In general, my feeling is positive, the team keeps working hard and doesn’t stop, I am working every day, I go to the gym and I go to the track, I’m riding the bicycle, I’m pushing in training every day. I am fully ready for the race weekend.”
Tickets for the Motul FIM Superbike World Championship this weekend are available in advance until 4pm on Wednesday 10 July, with further savings for teenagers aged 13-15 and free entry all weekend for children under-13. For more information and to book, click here.