Toprak Razgatlioglu proudly stated that winning the 1,000th WorldSBK race was a “very special” achievement for him.

The BMW rider stormed to a third consecutive treble in 2025 at the inaugural Hungarian WorldSBK round at Balaton Park.

His success meant the championship leader extended his lead to 26 points over Nicolo Bulega, capitalising on the Italian’s failed tyre gamble in the Superpole Race.

“It was an amazing weekend,” he told WorldSBK.

“We started very strong because this is a new track for everyone. I adapted quickly. We did a good job with my team. I’m happy with this.

“The Superpole Race was very difficult due to many wet patches on track. We just had a dry line but some parts were still wet. We didn’t make a mistake, just riding and focused on pace.

“This race was very important because I won races 800 and 900, and I needed to win 1000! I’m really happy. This is a very special race for me.”

Razgatlioglu won the 800th WorldSBK race on a Kawasaki, the 900th race on a Yamaha, and the 1,000th on a BMW.

Despite extending title advantage, Toprak Razgatlioglu searches for another treble

Heading into the summer break, Razgatlioglu has momentum on his side after claiming his 15th race win of the season in Race 2.

The Turkish rider is only looking one race weekend ahead, although he has previously stated that he wants to end his WorldSBK chapter as a three-time champion.

“I’m not on focused on the Championship, I’m looking race by race; this is very important for me,” he shared.

“The next race is at Magny-Cours and last year I didn’t race there. I’ll try to get a hat-trick there. I hope we win again because I’m on consecutive nine wins.

“Magny-Cours is one of my favourite tracks and I need to win there because Aragon and Jerez, I think all Ducatis will be very strong.

“We’re the Championship leader and we’ve got a bigger gap, but this is racing and everything is possible.”

READ MORE – Toprak Razgatlioglu prevails in 1,000th WorldSBK race at Balaton Park

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Toprak Razgatlioglu believed he “had everything under control” throughout all three races as he secured a historic treble at the Donington WorldSBK round.

The Turkish rider set a new race win record at Donington Park, surpassing Tom Sykes’ previous record of nine victories.

Razgatlioglu took the holeshot in each of the three races, but led almost all laps aside from when Bimota rider Alex Lowes led briefly in Race 1.

His treble success in Derbyshire means the reigning WorldSBK champion leads the championship standings for the first time in 2025.

Now that he has taken the championship lead for the first time this season, his ambition to leave BMW with back-to-back titles has only grown.

“This weekend, I had everything under control except for Friday,” Razgatlioglu stated to select media including Motorsport Week.

“I don’t talk about the rules anymore; they don’t concern me anymore. My bike was slowed down again before England – I laugh about it and focus on my work.

“When I approach it that way, I ride much better. Plus, I have a contract for next year, a two-year contract in fact, and I’m relaxed.

“I just have to ride my bike and enjoy it, which helps a lot. My biggest goal is to try to win the championship.

“If I succeed, I’ll be very happy. Before I leave BMW, I have to give something back to them.”

Toprak Razgatlioglu reveals what he will miss most about Donington Park

The BMW rider has always shared his affection for Donington as it’s one of his favourite tracks on the WorldSBK calendar.

However, Razgatlioglu faces the new opportunity of riding in MotoGP for 2026 and 2027, meaning he will ride at Silverstone for the foreseeable.

“I love the fans,” when asked by Motorsport Week what he loves about Donington Park specifically.

“I like to hear the atmosphere. Also, I love this circuit, you don’t see some corners. I really like it here.

“I have rode one time at Silverstone with Red Bull Rookies, but never with a big bike.

“I hope one day we come here again.”

READ MORE – Toprak Razgatlioglu completes Donington WorldSBK treble

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BMW says losing Toprak Razgatlioglu departure from its WorldSBK team to join Pramac Yamaha in MotoGP feels like “losing a family member.”

Razgatlioglu and the Bavarian brand achieved a landmark feat in 2024, winning the WorldSBK Championship at their first attempt together.

BMW also earned its first championship on two-wheels after entering the series in a collaboration with Shaun Muir Racing in 2019.

Sven Blusch, Head of BMW Motorrad Motorsport, expressed his support for Razgatlioglu on his next chapter despite his departure: “For us, it’s hard to lose him for sure,” he told media at Misano.

“We all knew he had this big dream of going to MotoGP which we can’t offer him.

“From our side we wish him all the best. For sure, we are losing an amazing rider but even more an amazing personality.

“Everything grew to a family here together and losing a family member isn’t easy. It’s like that and we wish him all the best for next year and I think even more we have the goal to win the championship this year.

“We will always look back fondly on our successful partnership, our historic championship win, and many other great moments.

“We are very grateful to Toprak for everything he has contributed to our WorldSBK project. But it’s not yet time to say goodbye.”

With the reigning WorldSBK champion ten points behind Ducati rider Nicolo Bulega in the standings at the halfway stage, both parties have admitted that a dream farewell would be winning the title once again.

“More than half of the 2025 WorldSBK season still lies ahead, and we have a clear goal that we will continue to work hard toward.

“Our joint focus for the rest of this season is the mission to successfully defend the world title.”

READ MORE – Former WorldSBK champion explains changes Toprak Razgatlioglu must make ahead of MotoGP switch

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Former MotoGP rider Ben Spies expects Toprak Razgatlioglu must “acclimate his riding style” to make a successful switch from WorldSBK.

Spies won the 2009 WorldSBK championship for Yamaha before moving over to its satellite MotoGP team for the 2010 campaign, a path similar to Razgatlioglu’s ahead of next year.

The American had a moderately successful career in MotoGP, winning a race at the 2011 Dutch TT as well as six podiums before retiring in 2013.

Spies said if he was in Razgatlioglu’s position, he also would have made the switch to MotoGP. 

“Well, it’s been talked about for a couple of years now,” Spies told SuperbikePlanet. 

“I’ve spoken with him a lot, him and his manager about it for a few years now.

“I’m on the same page with them. The dilemma was obviously if Toprak [Razgatlioglu] wanted to stay in WorldSBK and become the king of WorldSBK or go to MotoGP.

“Toprak really really wants to try and if I was in his position to do it all over again, I probably would do the same.

“With what he’s accomplished already in Superbike there’s no wrong thing to do. There’s no doubt about that.”

‘Toprak Razgatlioglu amongst the top three most talented riders in the world’ – Ben Spies

Spies also praised the Turkish rider as one of the three most talented riders in the world, but questioned how the adaptation would work. 

“The question is, just how are things going to go?” Spies questioned. 

“Right off the bat, I do believe he’s for sure a top five, probably top three most talented riders in the world.

“Toprak will have to acclimate his riding style. The way that he kind of sits on the bike and just a little bit of how he brakes, which is, you know, he’s a demon breaker. 

“Getting the bike stopped pointed and stuff like that. That’s the other part of it, he’s going to have to manipulate his style a little bit to make the GP bikes work.

“I’m not saying he can’t do that, but he’s so on one side of the spectrum of riding the motorcycle in a very good way.

“I do think that he’s going to have to pull back a little bit on the way that he rides so extreme. 

“And bump up the corner speed a little bit and get off of the front brake a little bit sooner, and getting the bike rolling, all those kind of things.”

Spies also questioned whether Razgatlioglu would have enough time to adapt to MotoGP machinery with his two-year Pramac Yamaha deal despite his talent level. 

“Is he able to do it? Because, you know, there’s two things: it’s his age is one and two, he’s been riding production street motorcycles his whole career, not Moto3 and Moto2 [or] MotoGP bikes.

“So, yes, there’s a difference. Not saying he can’t make that difference and make the changes that he’ll kind of need to. It’ll be exciting to watch.”

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Toprak Razgatlioglu is already looking ahead to the 2027 MotoGP regulations as he prepares for his 2026 switch to the Pramac Yamaha team.

Yamaha announced the two-time WorldSBK champion last Tuesday, though the contract duration wasn’t confirmed, it’s widely assumed he inked a two-year deal.

MotoGP’s new era will bring a major overhaul of the technical regulation, including a reduction in engine sizes from 1000cc to 850cc and the removal of all right-height and holeshot devices.

It was also announced that Pirelli will become MotoGP’s tyre supplier starting in 2027, a move that could benefit Razgatlioglu given his experience with Pirelli compounds in WorldSBK.

“Has my dream come true? Yes,” Razgatlioglu announced to media at BMW’s press conference in Misano.

“I’m very happy, a little bit excited, and I’m thinking about it a lot because it’s all completely different, even at the bike level.

“I will have to adapt quickly and also learn the circuits, because there are six or seven that I don’t know. I’m mainly aiming for 2027, but I’ll have to prove something next year as well.”

“We have seen that Yamaha has started to improve, and next year they may even have a new engine.”

“We will see, but the most important thing for me is to be in MotoGP. I don’t know what next year will be like, but in 2027 everything will change, including the tyres.

“That’s why I say that’s my main goal. As I said, the important thing for me was to learn about the paddock, the tracks I don’t know, and also adapt to the new atmosphere.”

Toprak Razgatlioglu discusses his ‘calm’ approach to his first MotoGP season

Razgatlioglu is set to face multiple challenges as he enters the MotoGP paddock, and he emphasised the need for a “calm” approach.

The Turkish rider explained that adapting to new tracks and transitioning from superbikes to MotoGP machinery will be the biggest challenges.

“I think it will be a problem, but MotoGP is completely different and I think the first year in particular will be tough for me,” he admitted.

“I will have to stay calm because it’s a whole other world. I’ll just need time to adapt and improve.

“How will I learn the tracks? I don’t know. Maybe I will ride there with the MotoGP, or with the road bike. I don’t know yet. It’s too early to plan.

“My main concern? That’s easy: the position in the seat! We talked about this before the signing. They told me I will probably have more like 20 options this time,” he laughed.

“At the moment I’m not ready, but we’ll see. I don’t like to talk usually, but in MotoGP everything is different and I may have to learn a little more.”

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Toprak Razgatlioglu believes he has achieved his “best Sunday” in WorldSBK after completing a hat-trick of victories in Misano. 

Razgatlioglu saw off title rival Nicolo Bulega in Race One before dominating the Superpole Race and Race 2 on Sunday to complete his second treble of the campaign. 

The Turkish rider closed the gap in the riders’ standings to just 9 points following his three victories as he seeks to win a third title before departing for MotoGP in 2026. 

The BMW rider praised his team for the improvements made to the bike throughout the weekend, but stressed there were still areas to work on.

“This was my best Sunday I think,” Razgatlioglu said via GPOne. 

“We improved in some corners from [Turns] 8 to 10, and also in the last sector I took a step forward. Turn 4 on the other hand was still giving me problems, the engine brake was not working as it should. 

“I saw that Bulega was starting behind, it took me a while to find the rhythm. But in the end I was lapping often in the 33, doing a 33.8 on the final lap because I knew I still had the margin. 

“I am very satisfied, this result is the result of the whole team.”

Razgatlioglu ‘surprised’ Nicolo Bulega involved in Misano first corner incident

Razgatlioglu was able to close the gap in the championship to rival Bulega after a first-corner incident in the Superpole race. 

Bulega had started on pole, but was wiped out at Turn 1 after the fast-starting Axel Bassani lost the front after a late braking manoeuver. 

The incident meant Razgatlioglu picked up 12 points, while Bulega scored zero, which the Turkish rider attributed to not taking “unnecessary risks.”

“When I came into that corner, I was focused on staying in front of [Bassani], but he came faster than me,” Razgatlioglu noted.

“I braked and saw that he was braking late, so when I realised he was going down I waited to close the corner to avoid getting involved. 

“I was surprised, however, that Nicolo was involved, so when I realised what had happened I didn’t push to the limit. 

“There was no reason to take unnecessary risks, I rode at my own pace.

‘My biggest goal is to go to MotoGP after winning WorldSBK title’ – Toprak Razgatlioglu

Razgatlioglu’s perfect weekend at Misano came after he was officially announced as a MotoGP rider for 2026. 

The Turkish rider will join Pramac Yamaha next season, with the potential of a factory ride should he impress.

He also confirmed he has signed a two-year deal with Yamaha in MotoGP. 

“I know I will face the next two years in MotoGP,” said Razgatlioglu.

“My biggest dream, my biggest goal, is to get there after also winning the 2025 title here in Superbike. 

“I don’t know if I will be competitive enough in 2026, maybe it could happen so next year is very important. If I do well it’s an option, we’ll see.”

Read More – Nicolo Bulega: Axel Bassani Misano WorldSBK Superpole race collision ‘destroyed everything’

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Following the announcement of Toprak Razgatlioglu’s move to MotoGP in 2026, he shared his “biggest dream” before bringing his WorldSBK chapter to a close.

The two-time champion heads into Misano, the halfway point of the calendar, 31-points behind title leader Nicolo Bulega.

Razgatlioglu has managed to pick up just six wins from the first 15 races — a sharp contrast to his dominant mid-season surge in the 2024 title campaign.

Despite his dip in form, the BMW rider expressed his final wish before he closes out his 11-year stint in the WorldSBK paddock.

“Moving to MotoGP as a three-time WorldSBK Champion is my biggest dream for this year,” Razgatlioglu declared on Thursday’s WorldSBK press conference.

“We’re still fighting for the title with Bulega and we’re not so far behind, just 31 points.

“I hope we get the title this year. This is my last year with BMW, and I need to give something to them before I move to MotoGP.

“This year, everything is different. We’re fighting for good positions and sometimes for the win.

“We had a very good test and worked so hard, and the feeling wasn’t bad, just the hot conditions are a bit difficult for me.”

Toprak Razgatlioglu conveys mixed emotions about leaving WorldSBK

The Turkish rider conveyed mixed emotions about the thought of leaving the WorldSBK paddock at the end of 2025 season.

On one hand, he will miss the close-knit WorldSBK community, but on the other, he will finally be able to pursue and live out his dream in MotoGP.

Regardless of his results between now and the end of the season, the 28-year-old will bow out as one of the series’ most successful riders.

“On one side, I feel sad; on the other, I’m so happy,” Razgatlioglu admitted.

“I’m sad because I feel like WorldSBK is part of my family. I know everyone, I’m really happy with the paddock.

“I’ll move to MotoGP and I’m happy for this. I’ll miss everyone! Not only the racing but especially the teams; I’m always talking to the teams.

“I’m really good friends with everyone and I’ll miss everyone. This paddock is relaxed, and everyone is friendly.”

READ MORE – WorldSBK champion Toprak Razgatlioglu switches to Pramac Yamaha for 2026 MotoGP season

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After years of speculation, two-time WorldSBK champion Toprak Razgatlioglu will switch to MotoGP and join forces with Pramac Yamaha in 2026.

The Turkish rider will re-join the Japanese marque following a successful stint in WorldSBK, where he won his first of two championships in 2021.

His second championship arrived in 2024 after a shock switch to Bavarian powerhouse BMW, and now he will take on a new challenge in the premier class.

Currently, the BMW rider is joint-second in the highest WorldSBK win list with Alvaro Bautista and is a distant second in the all-time podium charts, behind six-time champion Jonathan Rea.

Managing Director at Yamaha Motor Racing, Paolo Pavesio, said of Razgatlioglu’s arrival: “We are thrilled to welcome Toprak back into the Yamaha family.

“Toprak, the most victorious Yamaha rider of all time in WorldSBK, has proven to be an exceptional talent, securing the WorldSBK title twice, which is no mean feat.

“His transition to MotoGP is both a ‘homecoming’ and an exciting new challenge that’s been set up with the clear goal of progressive growth over time.

“His fighting spirit and determination are a perfect fit for both the Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP Team and Yamaha’s bold MotoGP strategy, so we believe 2026 is the right time to make the move that many fans have been waiting for.”

Yamaha’s statement read that further details regarding the 2026 Pramac line-up will be communicated in due course.

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Pramac Racing has responded to the persistent rumours regarding the potential signature of WorldSBK champion Toprak Razgatlioglu for the 2026 MotoGP season.

Multiple sources reported that the Turkish rider has agreed on a deal with the satellite Yamaha team from next year.

Sources indicated that Razgatlioglu’s pre-existing relationship with Yamaha’s new Managing Director, Paolo Pavesio, played a key role in finalising the deal.

The same reports stated that an announcement will be made at Pramac’s home base at Mugello for the ninth round of the MotoGP championship.

“Rumours are rumours. Of course, Yamaha have had some contact with Toprak, they are discussing, we are talking about next season, but we also need to think about our riders,” Pramac Team Manager Gino Borosi stated to MotoGP.

“Our riders have shown great potential, and at the moment, we have to understand if we want to keep the same lineup as this season. But as always, we’re in discussion.”

Incumbent Pramac riders Miguel Oliveira and Jack Miller are on separate contracts after joining the team earlier this year, with the latter inking only a one-year deal.

However, Borsoi insisted that it must evaluate its current line-up, but admitted there has been contact with the two-time WorldSBK champion.

“It depends on the agreement, we have two different agreements with our riders. We need to study deeper and talk with the managers about the future.

“We are still thinking about the line-up of next year. I don’t want to add anything more.

“As I said before, rumours are rumours, no contract has been signed already with Toprak, we have just opened a window for discussions.

“Between here and summer, we need to understand where our riders are and we need to take a decision, that’s it.”

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Reports state that there has been a “major acceleration” in talks between Toprak Razgatlioglu and Pramac Yamaha for the 2026 MotoGP season.

Over the past few years, the Turkish rider has been heavily linked with a move to MotoGP, but no switch across has materialised.

The reigning WorldSBK champion’s contract with BMW expires at the end of the 2025 season, with multiple rumoured options reportedly on the table regarding Razgatlioglu’s future.

Razgatlioglu won his championships with Yamaha and BMW, and the rider has previously stated that this is his final chance to switch series.

Despite previously testing the Yamaha MotoGP bike in a series of private tests in the past, which left him dissatisfied, the two-time champion left the Japanese team to join BMW in 2024.

However, GPOne reports that Razgatlioglu has a good relationship with Yamaha’s new Managing Director, Paolo Pavesio.

In a previous interview with MotoGP’s Gear Up programme, Pavesio previously stated: “The relationship with Toprak has been built from four years working together, which brought us a world championship.

“This remains one of my personal highlights as well.

“He’s still today the most victorious Yamaha Superbike rider ever. And it’s a positive, very respectful relationship, which will keep going.”

This news comes after the 28-year-old previously dismissed rumours of a potential move to Honda’s WorldSBK team in 2026, followed by a move to its MotoGP project in 2027.

GPOne added that the “unexplored Turkish market” could be seen as an ideal opportunity for Liberty Media to grow the sport in untapped regions.

It is unknown who Razgatlioglu would directly replace should an agreement be made, but incumbent rider Jack Miller previously agreed on a one-year deal which expires at the end of 2025.

Speedweek reports that Sky Italia MotoGP reporter Sandro Donato Grosso predicts an announcement will be made at Mugello during the Italian Grand Prix on June 20-22.

Grosso’s strong ties with Pramac boss Paolo Campinoti position him as a key ally, predicting that Campinoti is expected to unveil the team’s 2026 line-up at its home race.

READ MORE – Toprak Razgatlioglu has ‘opportunities’ in MotoGP and WorldSBK in 2026

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