Toprak Razgatlioglu claims his BMW M1000RR “is slower” than in 2024 despite scoring a fourth consecutive treble at the French WorldSBK round.
The Turkish rider won all three races en-route to extend his advantage at the top of the world championship table, defeating rival Nicolo Bulega who placed second in each race.
The double World Champion admitted his target before the start of the weekend was to complete the treble of victories, but suggested he still faced struggles aboard his BMW machine.
“Before coming here my goal was to make the hat trick,” Razgatlioglu said via GPOne.
“Yesterday however I wasn’t so serene or relaxed because I feared Race 2 a lot. Obviously, I was expecting Bulega to be in second place, just like in the Superpole race.
“That said, I’m honest in saying that I didn’t expect Nicolo second in the long run in the Sprint, but in the end he still made it.
Despite achieving his goal of the treble, Razgatlioglu revealed he still felt like he was struggling in comparison to 2024 due to the rule change affecting the BMW team.
“I pushed really hard because with these new rules everything is more complicated for us,” the championship leader said.
“In the final part, I suffered with the engine brake, but I still managed it as best as I could.
“Unfortunately, my bike is slower than last year and in tight corners it’s incredible how much acceleration the Ducati has.
“I noticed it again today and it is impossible to stay close to the Pangiale.
Championship rival Nicolo Bulega disagreed with Razgatliolgu’s claims, suggesting the BMW was faster than his Ducati, to which the Turkish rider was unimpressed.
“He said that? Whatever. To me on the other hand, it seems that the bike is slower and I miss engine revs.”
Toprak Razgatlioglu: ‘I don’t want to make any calculations’ about WorldSBK title
Razgatlioglu’s 12th successive victory moved him 39 points clear of Bulega at the top of the Riders’ standings, with 186 to play for in the final three rounds.
The Turkish rider was reluctant to discuss the possibility of where he could win the WorldSBK title, instead preferring to focus on winning in Aragon.
El Turco will attempt to break his own record of 13 consecutive wins in Aragon, a circuit where he has never won before.
“I don’t want to make any calculations [about the championship] because I want to win in Aragon at the end of the month, considering we did testing there last week as well.
“There will be some aspects to improve on the bike, but I want to be optimistic because I have never won there.
“All the Ducatis are waiting for Aragon because it is their track. Of course I will try to surprise them, trying to win because then I will destroy their plan.
“Therefore, I also want to win in three weeks.”
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