Bekir Yunus Uçar, president of the Turkish Motorcycle Federation (TMF), recommended Turkish riders for his or her outstanding worldwide efficiency regardless of accidents and technical challenges, declaring the season a memorable one.
Reflecting on the worldwide achievements of Turkish athletes, Uçar expressed: “We have left a long season behind us. Our national athletes, led by Toprak Razgatlıoğlu, consistently made their mark on the podium across 12 different tracks worldwide, proudly hoisting our flag. We had hoped to celebrate a championship win on the centenary of our republic, but regrettably, we ended the season in second place.”
Highlighting the distinctive achievements of the federation’s twentieth anniversary, Uçar added: “In the World Superbike and Supersport championships, we set a medal record with Toprak Razgatlıoğlu, Can Öncü and Bahattin Sofuoğlu, representing our nation on the podium 40 times. It was a season marked by injuries and technical issues overall, but our athletes etched their tireless efforts into the memory of all who followed. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who contributed, especially our athletes and TMF National Teams Captain Kenan Sofuoğlu.”
In the realm of bike racing, Toprak Razgatlıoğlu concluded the World Superbike Championship, whereas Öncü and Bahattin Sofuoğlu accomplished the World Supersport Championship.
Starting with the primary race in Australia from Feb. 24-26, Turkish riders competed in Indonesia, the Netherlands, Spain, Italy and the U.Okay. all through the season.
After one other set of races in Italy and Spain, in addition they tackled circuits within the Czech Republic, France and Portugal.
Over the course of 12 weeks, nationwide athletes participated in two major races every.
Toprak Razgatlıoğlu, the 2021 World Superbike Champion, trailed the Spanish rider Alvaro Bautista for the second consecutive season following his victory towards Jonathan Rea final 12 months, ending Rea’s six-season reign.
In the seventh leg of the World Superbike Championship held in Italy, Toprak secured second place within the first race, marking his a hundredth podium end in his WSBK profession.
Throughout the season, Toprak collected seven first-place finishes, 20 second-place finishes and 6 third-place finishes, amassing 552 factors, finally securing second place within the total riders’ standings.
On the opposite hand, the Ducati rider, Spanish rider Bautista, clinched the World Superbike Championship with 628 factors, securing his second consecutive Superbike championship title.
In preparation for the upcoming season, Toprak made a strategic transfer by altering groups. The nationwide athlete is ready to proceed his WSBK races with the Rokit BMW Team within the 2024 World Superbike Championship.
National motorcyclist Bahattin Sofuoğlu clinched his first podium end within the World Supersport Championship (WSSP) in Spain, securing third place within the first race of the fourth leg.
Bahattin Sofuoğlu achieved his maiden victory within the WSSP on the Spanish leg, thereby ascending to the top of the rostrum.
Throughout the season, he secured third place on three events.
In the riders’ standings, Bahattin concluded the season in sixth place with 168 factors.
Öncü begins the season with a third-place end in Australia, which marked his first podium of the season.
Subsequently, he claimed the highest spot within the first race in Indonesia.
However, as a consequence of an damage, Öncü was compelled to overlook the fourth leg of the season in Spain.
After a prolonged rehabilitation course of, he returned to the tracks on the ninth leg in France. Despite his extended absence, Öncü secured third place within the second race of the twelfth and closing leg of the Supersport season in Spain, concluding the season with a podium end.
Öncü concluded the season in thirteenth place with 89 factors.
Source: www.dailysabah.com
