Turkish motorcyclist Toprak Razgatlıoğlu isn’t just a reputation; he’s a legend within the making.
Not solely has he left an indelible mark on Turkish sports activities historical past, however he has additionally earned respect and recognition worldwide on the earth of motor racing.
His journey is one among mentorship, future and desires fulfilled.
While catching up with him on the Kenan Sofuoğlu Circuit in Sakarya, Razgatlıoğlu talked about his journey, latest achievements and a shocking profession transfer.
In the phrases of Altuğ Gültan, the filmmaker behind the KNN54 Riders documentary, “If he were in Spain, he might not be able to walk down the street without being mobbed.”
Razgatlıoğlu, the person who ended Jonathan Rea’s six-year reign as Superbike World Champion in 2021, isn’t any stranger to adulation.
He is the person who put Türkiye on the motorsport map.
Mentored by Kenan Sofuoğlu, a five-time World Supersport Champion, Toprak’s journey is the stuff of legends.
We are right here at Sofuoğlu’s circuit in Sakarya, the coaching floor for future Turkish sports activities stars.
This is the place Razgatlıoğlu was honed to surpass Sofuoğlu, and remarkably, he did.
Razgatlıoğlu is a humble, pushed and immensely likable character – just a little quick on the observe, however sustain, and you’ll perceive why.
As we approached Toprak for an interview, the news of his transfer from the Yamaha workforce to BMW for the upcoming season had simply been introduced.
It is a call no person noticed coming, and we get to listen to it straight from the horse’s mouth.
Razgatlıoğlu replied: “Yes, many people might be surprised by my decision. I know they want me to race in MotoGP now. Last season, when we went to Valencia for Deniz Öncü’s race, we wondered why we were not there. Later, we talked to Yamaha, and a bike was arranged. We made some changes to the first bike they proposed, and two months later, we received the bike. If something went wrong in the test race, we had no second bike. It was stressful. But I rode with that bike. Important figures from Yamaha even came to watch. However, I could not connect with the MotoGP bike. Also, there are no vacant seats for the next season. Considering all these hiccups, we decided it wasn’t the right time. My goal is not just to be the first Turkish rider in MotoGP; it’s to win races and challenge for the podium. I realized that wouldn’t happen with Yamaha. If I stay in Superbike, I need a new challenge. Joining BMW, a team that has never won a Superbike championship, sounded appealing. Jonathan Rea is the ultimate Superbike legend; he won six consecutive titles with the same bike. My vision is different; I want to win with different teams and different bikes. Rather than always winning with the best machine, I want to elevate teams that have never won a championship. I hope to achieve that. Right now, not many believe it because BMW isn’t on the podium every race. Yamaha was also surprised, but I needed this challenge. Those who know me are aware that I don’t like being comfortable.”
As the dialog unfolded, it was evident that Razgatlıoğlu is a person with a imaginative and prescient, striving for excellence on his personal phrases.
He isn’t just searching for private glory, but in addition aiming to make historical past by elevating underdog groups to Superbike glory.
Razgatlıoğlu’s profession had a novel begin, with Kenan Sofuoğlu’s affect enjoying a pivotal position.
We delved into the story of their relationship.
“Kenan Sofuoğlu was heading to a race in Izmit when I started in this sport,” Toprak revealed. “At that time, conditions were tough and costly. Later, his father, the late Irfan Sofuoğlu, bought this land. Before it was completed, Kenan and I rode bikes here. Back then, the track was very different from what it is today. It’s like a European track now, not too long, just a kilometer. It’s the perfect place for training. It’s where we’re happiest. It benefits us greatly in our training, especially for practicing overtakes in corners. Kenan worked really hard so we could have what we needed for training. We would appreciate it even more if we knew the background of this place,” Razgatlıoğlu defined.
Then, the dialog turned to Kenan Sofuoğlu doubtlessly making a return to the observe.
Razgatlıoğlu appeared a bit cautious. “Oh, please, do not come back. The young riders are fast; it is not a good idea,” he stated jokingly.
Why the apprehension about racing alongside Sofuoğlu? “Do not come back; he has quit; we have arrived,” Razgatlıoğlu said.
Toprak will not be stopping at Superbike, although. He has already received his eyes on the world of automotive racing.
“I love working with cars, old or new; it does not matter. After ending his MotoGP career, Valentino Rossi transitioned into car racing. I have a similar dream. It could be a rallycross, GT4, or a similar category. But, of course, it is for the future. There are still many podiums to climb and championships to win on motorcycles,” he stated, with a chuckle.
As we delved additional into the dialog, we had Bahattin Sofuoğlu, Kenan Sofuoğlu’s nephew, be a part of us.
Bahattin Sofuoğlu lately grew to become the third Turkish rider to win a Supersport race, following Kenan and Can Öncü.
We had been curious to know the way it feels to hold the Sofuoğlu identify into racing.
“The good side is that it commands respect. The challenging part is the expectation; it is enormous. A few months ago, he tore his cruciate ligaments in practice. He had surgery and is recovering. He sends us messages like, ‘I am coming back.’ We are waiting for him to return,” Razgatlıoğlu stated.
Then, the dialog turned to the subsequent era of riders inside the Sofuoğlu household, notably Zayn.
“As Mahir grew older, Kenan wanted to introduce him to motorsports. They bought a car and tried go-karting, but Mahir was not interested. Mahir stepped back, and Zayn took the opportunity. Despite being very young, Zayn insisted on trying. He was only a 1.5 years old. Then one day, Kenan Abi let him ride. Zayn immediately grasped it. He started practicing. I started at 4, and he already passed me while he was still crawling. There is a genetic factor at play here. Kenan says, ‘He does not understand it now, but if he wants to, I will do everything in my power to make him a Formula One driver.’ The most critical thing here is Zayn’s desire. Some people say, ‘He is too young for this,’ but they do not know much about sports. I started at 3 years old. If you do not provide this kind of training at a young age, your child cannot do these sports. I am a living example of that. Zayn has had no training; he is always in the hands of professionals on a professional track. I would have a problem if he were my child. Zayn started riding at 1.5 years old and raised the bar. What will our child do? The goal has skyrocketed now,” he stated, chuckling.
Razgatlıoğlu is greater than a bike racer; he is a person with a imaginative and prescient and a love for challenges.
His journey from the common-or-garden origins of motor racing to his present standing as a world phenomenon is a testomony to his dedication and expertise.
His ardour for pushing boundaries transcends not solely the racetrack but in addition into the way forward for motorsport.
Razgatlıoğlu’s story is way from over, and the subsequent chapters promise much more exhilarating twists and turns.
Source: www.dailysabah.com
