It's been a hot topic of conversation in recent months but during the Motul TT Assen, Toprak Razgatlioglu’s 2023 future was cleared up by his manager Kenan Sofuoglu.
The reigning WorldSBK Champion has been strongly linked to a seat in the MotoGP™ paddock for the past couple of seasons, especially during 2022’s silly season. Razgatlioglu got a first taste of MotoGP™ action when he joined Yamaha Factory Test Rider Cal Crutchlow in a private test at MotorLand Aragon earlier in June, but Sofuoglu confirmed the Turkish star will remain in WorldSBK in 2023 – ruling out any move to Yamaha in MotoGP™ for next season.
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RAZGATLIOGLU REVEALS ALL: "I'LL TRY FOR MANY TITLES..."
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"TOPRAK HAS THE POTENTIAL TO BE IN MotoGP" - QUARTARARO
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RAZGATLIOGLU TESTS YAMAHA YZR-M1 IN ARAGON
“One thing is clear: Yamaha’s MotoGP factory team has signed Quartararo. So [Toprak] has no opportunity,” said Sofuoglu. “They were speaking about the B team but always when I spoke with Yamaha, I told them we are never, ever interested to be in MotoGP with a B team. If we come to MotoGP, only in an official team. Without that, we’re not interested.”
In 2023, Yamaha will only have two bikes on the grid after WithU RNF confirmed they will be switching to Aprilia machinery at the end of the season. Franco Morbidelli was already signed up for 2023, and Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP™ confirmed their unchanged factory line-up by announcing reigning MotoGP™ King, Fabio Quartararo, put pen to paper on a new two-year deal. All this means there’s no room in the Iwata stable for Razgatlioglu.
Mums are always their kids' biggest fans ????
— WorldSBK (@WorldSBK) June 28, 2022
But it turns out that @michaelrinaldi_'s mother is also a big fan of... @toprak_tr54! ????#ITAWorldSBK #WorldSBK pic.twitter.com/PFBrFFtgwT
“Yamaha has lost their second team and their factory team is full, so we’ll be in WorldSBK next year,” continued Sofuoglu. “One thing is clear, in 2024 we are able to speak with any brand, any MotoGP team. But if Toprak comes to the MotoGP paddock, he will not come with a B team. If he comes to the paddock, it’ll only be with an official team. Without that he’ll stay in WorldSBK. I’m going to put my riders only in an official team.”
Will we see Razgatlioglu in MotoGP™ in 2024? A question that will be on many people’s lips heading into the 2023 campaigns.
HAVE YOUR SAY IN HOW THE FUTURE OF MotoGP™ LOOKS!