Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) claimed the 2024 title with second place at the Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto in Race 1 and has secured BMW’s first ever WorldSBK Title win. Discussing his title win after Race 1, Razgatlioglu said: “Nobody believed me or the BMW, but finally they understand we’re World Champions. This is incredible, especially with BMW; they’ve never won the title. Finally, I got my second title and BMW got their first!”
Bongers: “Nobody could have thought this scenario…it’s absolutely magnificent…”
A switch to BMW for the 2024 season shocked many but it was a catalyst for Razgatlioglu to take his second title. Marc Bongers, BMW Motorrad Motorsport Director, commented on the occasion saying: “The target was, when we signed Toprak for a multi -year deal, we said, okay, the target is to win a couple of races in the first year and take the championship the second year…for sure nobody could have thought this scenario.”
101 YEARS OF BMW MOTORRAD: 2024 marks a momentous year
The #54 Turkish rider sealed the title win with a solid P2 on Saturday afternoon behind close rival Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) as Ducati claimed the Manufacturers’ Championship for the year. Bongers spoke emotionally about the team and the importance of family support in contributing to his role at BMW: “It’s terribly emotional to be honest, my wife, kids, they support me all the way through. As you know this has been really emotional because we’ve had really tough areas, we all sacrifice a lot.” He added: “I’ve been in this project for ten years. Sometimes we are our own biggest opponents. I’ve carried this project through, we’ve had an impressive crew, an impressive team, and support from my family. It’s hard, but it’s nice…we are going to part and we will party big.”
Marron: “The guys working in factory and trackside are incredible…”
Phil Marron, Razgatlioglu’s Crew Chief at BMW said it will be a week or two before the title success will sink in; “Obviously it means the world to us, it’s an incredible achievement. I’m fortunate enough to work alongside Toprak. The guys working back in the factory and trackside are incredible, some clever ideas and geniuses in the box. The results speak for themselves.”
The BMW crew chief who has worked with Toprak for many years said he started believing the title was within grasp from the Catalunya and Misano rounds, and has believing in the Turkish rider from his early days: “He was a rough diamond; this is pretty special.”
Muir: “It’s not about me, anyone in particular, it’s about a team effort…that’s what I’m proud of…”
Shaun Muir, Team Principle for (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) was overjoyed with the title result after Race 1: “It’s unbelievable, I’m super proud of this moment. It’s been a long hard struggle, not without its problems. You’ve seen this emotion in the paddock and everybody we’ve put together in this team, it’s not built overnight. When the project started in 2019, I think there’s only 10 personal who were with us from then to now, every year we’ve improved, and become a stronger, more credible team and that’s taken us to where we are today.
Praising the 28-year-old rider, Muir discussed his personality that has contributed to him becoming the 2024 World Champion: “Toprak has a steely determination that I have never ever seen in another rider in all my years I’ve been running a race team. The determination that you’ve got not only to compete at the highest level but to only accept a win, and his opinion, he’s not at the top yet… he’s got a lot more to do.”
Van der Mark: “Just incredible the way he’s been riding… I think he’s a true World Champion”
Teammate Michael van der Mark (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team), affectionately known as ‘Abi’ by Razgatlioglu, gave his thoughts on his good friend winning the title. He said: “I think it’s been an incredible journey. For me, when he signed for BMW, it showed he trusted the project but also BMW were pushing even harder. They had a tough couple of year where results weren’t coming easy. This year, everything seem to come together; not just Toprak, but all BMW’s are getting stronger. He’s had a fantastic season, just incredible the way he’s been riding; so fast with almost no crashes. I think he’s a true World Champion. Really happy to be part of this journey. We’ve come a long way. Had some tough years but we kept working and improving and we’ve seen a very happy World Champion.”
Get ready for 2025 and Toprak’s title defence with the WorldSBK VideoPass!
Source: WorldSBK.com