BMW rider Toprak Razgatlioglu opens up about breakup with Yamaha, calls Jerez test a reason

BMW rider Toprak Razgatlioglu has been one of the most sensational bike racers in the recent past. Since his first world title victory in 2021, he has earned a lot of fame and name around the globe. His amazing performance prompted Yamaha to put him in their MotoGP bike for a test run. 

However, things didn’t go well and Razgatlioglu left Yamaha in WorldSBK too before joining hands with BMW. Now, after winning three out of the first nine races in WorldSBK 2024 with BMW Razgatlioglu spoke about the test day and why he left Yamaha. In a latest media interaction, he said that Yamaha ‘had no plans to get him to MotoGP.’

"There were already discussions about the seating position before the test. Usually, there are three different seats at Yamaha. But when I came to the test, the motorcycle was the same as before," he told Motorsport-Total.

Will BMW join MotoGP with Razgatlioglu?

"I just did my laps. I didn't have many tyres available either. I respected it. I didn't plan to continue riding after the first day. I talked to Kenan Sofuoglu. He said that I should show Yamaha respect. All young riders have a dream. They want to ride a MotoGP motorcycle at some point. I was able to experience that, which makes me very happy, he further added. 

Further speaking about his reasons behind the breakup with Yamaha Razgatlioglu admits that an inconclusive test led to all this. He said, “I don't know how much he grew. Honestly, I expected his times to be more consistent after two days. However, I don't think he pushed too hard. Yamaha had no intention of incorporating me into MotoGP. So, we started exploring other options.” 

Razgatlioglu's shift from Yamaha to BMW underscores the need for alignment between a rider's goals and a team's support. For him, moving to BMW signals a fresh chapter in his Superbike journey, showcasing adaptability and drive. Additionally, his move revitalizes BMW's racing ambitions, possibly leading to MotoGP entry by 2027 under new regulations.