Toprak Razgatlioglu revealed he was “feeling stressed about the engine” on course to sealing the WorldSBK title in Jerez.
Razgatlioglu won his third world title in a last race decider by taking third in Race 2, despite crashing out of the Superpole race as rival Nicolo Bulega took a hat trick of victories.
The Turkish rider admitted his biggest after his controversial Superpole crash with title rival Nicolo Bulega was suffering a technical issue in Race 2.
“After the crash, the bike makes some flips, so I’m just scared about the engine,” Razgatlioglu told media, including Motorsport Week.
“But, finally, I’m not feeling any problem. Just the left corner bike is not good at turning. I don’t know why.
“I just needed to finish the race in the top 5. Every lap, I was getting better, just starting to ride more calm. Finally, I finished the race on the podium.
“And, because my biggest target, you know, get the title. Finally, we get. It’s very difficult for you to ride calmer.”
The 29-year-old earned his third and, for now, final WorldSBK title before making the move across to MotoGP.
Razgatlioglu will join Pramac Yamaha in the grand prix paddock next season and will test the M1 machine before his debut.
The Turkish rider admitted it was “very important” to give a parting gift to BMW before his departure.
“This title is also very important for me before the MotoGP, because it’s the last year with BMW, last year with this old guy, old man,” Razgatlioglu joked about team boss Sean Muir.
“I give this gift for BMW. That’s very important for me. Also, this is the last year in the Superbike Paddock.
I made a very important move to MotoGP. This title, which finally we get, especially today, is very stressful. Especially after the crash. Before, everything was going well.
“Anyway, I’m very happy for that. This is very important for me and also for the future.”
‘He always tries his best’ – Toprak Razgatlioglu on controversial Superpole crash
Although he eventually sealed the title, Razgatlioglu’s weekend didn’t go the way the Turkish rider had hoped.
The three-time World Champion was outpaced by Ducati all weekend and lost both full-length races to Bulega.
In the Superpole race, a contentious clash between the pair on Lap 1 left Razgatlioglu in the gravel and forced the championship to be decided in the final race.
The BMW rider spoke with Bulega after Race 2 and disclosed that the Italian apologised for his “big mistake.”
“He said sorry, and I understand him,” Razgatlioglu revealed.
“He knows his mistake, but it’s better we don’t talk about this. We are just talking with him.
He says something, I say it’s ok. But ok, we’re fighting every race weekend with him.
“Very clearly, he made a big mistake, and he says sorry.”
Despite the Superpole crash, Razgatlioglu went on to take the world title by 10 points in the final race of the season.
Although the Turkish rider felt “angry” after the collision, he admitted there was no bad blood between the pair.
Razgatlioglu also suggested next year “we will be bored” by Bulega dominating the 2026 season.
“I’m still a little bit angry. but I also said congratulations again. He won the last races, and I also said to him that next year we will be bored.
Because we are fighting every race weekend with him. I’m really enjoying.
But anyway, you know, the short race, he did a mistake.
This is not good also for him, also for his career. But I’m not saying anything for him, because he always tries his best.
“The first lap, he doesn’t need [to do] this, but he’s also learning I think.”
Read more – Nicolo Bulega secures Jerez treble as Toprak Razgatlioglu clinches third WorldSBK title
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