Razgatlioglu - “Dream is becoming WorldSBK champion… then maybe go to MotoGP”

Toprak Razgatlioglu has shed more light on his reasons for turning down the chance to race in the MotoGP World Championship next season, saying it is his ‘dream’ of becoming WorldSBK Champion first.

The Turkish rider caused a stir in June when it was confirmed he had re-signed with Yamaha for two more seasons in the WorldSBK Championship amid rumours he was being courted for MotoGP.

Indeed, it is understood Yamaha initially offered him a deal to compete with the satellite SRT Yamaha team, but instead settled on a two-year contract in WorldSBK.

Though the rejection raised some eyebrows, Razgatlioglu justified himself to MotoGP.com that he remains focused on becoming a World Champion and while he doesn’t rule out the premier class in future, instead sees his best chance for that in the short-term to be in WorldSBK.

“Normally my plan would be to be Superbike World Champion and maybe after that move up to the MotoGP paddock, I don’t know. Now I’m just focused on being a Superbike champion and I like the category paddock. I remember being here in 2013 and 2014 at the Rookies Cup, and this is a completely different paddock.”

“Everyone has the dream of being in MotoGP, I know that, but I repeat, I haven’t had that dream for many years now because I know that for me MotoGP is like a galaxy and maybe I could have a bike but for me personally I think it’s better to be champion in Superbikes, that’s the dream and what I’m following and after that maybe we can come here.”

Razgatlioglu’s dream could be realised sooner than he may have anticipated following a strong run of form - including five wins from the last ten races - that has put him just three points behind Kawasaki’s Johnathan Rea in the overall standings.