Razgatlioglu’s future cleared up by Sofuoglu in Assen
Razgatlioglu’s future cleared up by Sofuoglu in Assen. For 2019, Kenan Sofuoglu has confirmed that the Turk will remain in WorldSBK, but he has also said that conversations “with any MotoGPTM team” are feasible for 2024.
Toprak Razgatlioglu’s 2023 plans were finally laid to rest by his management Kenan Sofuoglu at the Motul TT Assen after months of speculation.
During the 2022 offseason, the current WorldSBK champion has been heavily linked to a spot in the MotoGPTM paddock. The Turkish star, Razgatlioglu, got his first taste of MotoGPTM action when he joined Yamaha Factory Test Rider Cal Crutchlow in a private test at MotorLand Aragon earlier in June. However, Sofuoglu has confirmed that Razgatlioglu will remain in WorldSBK in 2023, effectively ending any speculation about a move to Yamaha in MotoGPTM for the upcoming season.
In a revealing statement, RAZGATLIOGLU said, “I’LL TRY FOR MANY TITLES…”
“TOPRAK COULD RUN IN MOTOGP.” Slang QUARTARARO
RAZGATLIOGLU PUTS THE YAMAHA YZR-M1 THROUGH ITS PACKS IN ARAGON
That Quartararo has signed with Yamaha’s MotoGP factory team is no longer a mystery. As a result, Toprak is completely shut out of the running,” Sofuoglu said. They mentioned the B team, but in my many conversations with Yamaha, I’ve made it clear that the company has no desire to field a second team in MotoGP. Only on an official MotoGP team would we consider competing. In the absence of that, we have no interest.
WithU RNF has announced they would transfer to Aprilia machinery at the end of the 2022 season, leaving Yamaha with only two bikes on the grid in 2023. It was already set for 2023 with Franco Morbidelli signed on for Monster Energy. Fabio Quartararo, the current MotoGPTM King, has signed a new two-year contract with Yamaha MotoGPTM, confirming the team’s continued use of the same factory line-up. All of these rule out Razgatlioglu as a potential heir to the Iwata throne.
For 2019, “Yamaha has lost their second team and their factory team is packed, therefore we’ll be in WorldSBK,” said Sofuoglu. “In 2024, it’s crystal evident that we can have conversations/talks with any brand, any MotoGP team. Even if Toprak does show up at the MotoGP paddock, he won’t be bringing a B team with him. He will only enter the paddock with a sanctioned team. In the absence of that, he will remain a WorldSBK rider. In the future, I will only allow my riders to compete on official teams.
What about 2024?
Will we see Razgatlioglu racing in MotoGPTM then? Many individuals will be wondering about this as the 2023 elections approach.