And so it comes down to the final round of the season to determine the 2024 Superbike World Champion. Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) versus Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) isn’t the heavyweight title duel that anyone expected coming into the season. When the chequered flag falls on Sunday to draw a close to the 2024 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship campaign, it will be remembered for Razgatlioglu.
BOX OFFICE RAZGATLIOGLU: a massive statement…
The BMW star has been box office all season. He’s the focus of attention every time he rolls down pitlane and on Saturday he’ll have the chance to wrap up his second world title. Toprak is standing on the verge of history. To win the title for BMW would be a massive statement of his talent, determination, and racing instinct. When he announced his move to the German manufacturer last year, there were scoffs around the paddock. Everyone has been eating humble pie since then.
A NEW-LOOK BATTLE: Razgatlioglu takes on Ducati
Coming into the season, I wrote that Toprak has changed the dynamic of his battle with Bautista and Ducati. Moving to BMW was another chance to prove himself. The question posed at the time was whether he could win a title and he answered that question very quickly. Looking more comfortable and natural on the BMW than he did on the Yamaha is something that was unfathomable a year ago. Go back and watch videos of Toprak on the R1 and compare him to now. Amazingly, he looks better now than ever. BMW’s test programme got him ready for the season. His ability on the bike moulded the team around him and got them ready to win.
EARLY SUCCESS: the BMW switch vindicated by Round 2
By the second round of the campaign, I wrote that the new track surface in Australia had helped BMW. Had the high grip nature of the asphalt and mid race pit stops papered over some cracks? Toprak won in Catalunya. By Assen “the best pound for pound rider in WorldSBK” had shown he could lead BMW to the promised land. By Round 4 he had taken the title lead. At the time, just four months ago, rumours started spreading about BMW making a move to MotoGP™. The pressure to win was immense and so Toprak went on a relentless winning run that lasted for the summer. He reeled off 13 wins on the bounce. The bounce that mattered for the 2024 campaign though was just around the corner.
ALL CHANGE: Razgatlioglu’s big France crash and Aragon comeback
With the Championship now, as I wrote in July, “inevitable” we were given the reminder that in motorcycle racing nothing can ever be taken for granted. A sickening Free Practice crash at the French Round saw Toprak lucky to escape without broken bones. The crash though was bad. Forced to miss six races due to a lung injury he watched on as Bulega doubled up in France and clawed back points at Cremona. Having to sit on the sidelines was tough for Toprak so when he came back at Aragon, he was ready to prove his worth.
Finishing second in all three races was a stellar return by any standards. Last weekend he finished 1-2-1 and when he clinched Saturday’s win it was clear how much the victory meant to Razgatlioglu and his team. On a weekend of tricky conditions, he had proved his mettle and won his battles.
TITLE ALMOST SECURED: the right rider-machine combination is crucial
If nothing else for fans this year Toprak has proved that, once again, the most important factor in success in motorsport is the man on the machine. The right rider makes the difference. The right rider galvanises a team. The right rider makes people believe. The right rider can define a season. The fight to get back on track after Magny-Cours was more intense than anything he’s faced this season. On Saturday he’ll have the chance to claim the title. It will be richly deserved.
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Source: WorldSBK.com