Whenever a rider stands out in WSBK, his jump to MotoGP is expected. It doesn’t always happen, but Toprak Razgatlioglu has decided to do it, and thus leave a category and motorcycles that he is used to, to move to the championship of the most technologically advanced motorcycles there is. The differences between a MotoGP and a Superbike, regardless of how far or close they may be in one lap, are tremendous, and that is why making the leap is increasingly difficult.
Razgatlioglu’s case is quite particular, because since Ben Spies made the leap and that was 15 years ago, no other title champion has left WSBK to compete in MotoGP. To this we must add that the change today is even bigger than at that time, because the technical difference between a Superbike and a MotoGP is immense.
Therefore, the work that the Turk will have ahead of him is daunting. In addition to the tires and circuits, you will have to get used to complex electronics, more advanced aerodynamics and height variation systems. But if anyone can do it well, it is Toprak, and the numbers he has achieved in WSBK are within the reach of very few drivers.
Razgatlioglu is among the three best drivers in WSBK history
And by winning his third title, the second in a row in general terms, he has become the fourth driver in WSBK history to achieve that number. Only Jonathan Rea and Carl Fogarty, with six and four titles, surpass him. And thus, Razgatlioglu is currently tied with Troy Bayliss.
But if in terms of titles Toprak’s position is legendary, in terms of victories it is even greater, since after Rea he is the second driver with the most victories. He has 78 wins, a total of 173 podiums, 24 pole positions, 66 fastest laps and has scored 3,482 points in his career in the championship. In addition, we must add that he has the record for consecutive victories, with 13 in total, something he achieved in 2024 and that he repeated this same year.
It is true that these numbers are influenced by the fact that there are now three races per weekend, but there is no doubt that at his recently turned 29 years old and in eight seasons in the category, these are equally spectacular figures.
