Sofuoglu: We spoke with Petronas Yamaha, they are still wanting Toprak

Former five-time WorldSSP champion and manager to Torpak Razgatlioglu, Kenan Sofuoglu, has confirmed Petronas Yamaha were and ‘still’ are interested in Razgatlioglu following the Turkish rider’s new two-year deal with Pata Yamaha in WorldSBK.

Robert Jones

02 Jul 2021

Toprak Razgatlioglu and Kenan Sofuoglu, Aragon WorldSBK Race2, 2021
© Gold and Goose

While Toprak Razgatlioglu has decided to remain in WorldSBK for another two years with Pata Yamaha, Kenan Sofugolu - Razgatlioglu’s manager, confirmed talks with MotoGP team Petronas Yamaha took place, along with several other top teams in World Superbike.

Sofuoglu said two MotoGP teams showed interest in the 24 year-old - second of those being Aprilia, but that any move to MotoGP won’t take place until at least 2023.

"There were a couple of teams from MotoGP that showed great interest; we spoke a couple of times with Petronas Yamaha, and they are still wanting Toprak [Razgatlioglu], but they also know our first choice is to be in WorldSBK and they respect this," added Sofuoglu.

"Before 2020, there was also some interest in Toprak, but I was very respectful to them both times.

"I said that we want to stay in WorldSBK for a minimum of two more years and after that, if Toprak is so strong and is Champion in WorldSBK, then it can be interesting but right now, we want to stay here."

Razgatlioglu’s decision to remain with Yamaha meant resisting other interest from top teams in WorldSBK, including Ducati.

Sofuoglu said: "I think every top team wanted him! There was a lot of interest from every team and every brand, and they all want to beat Jonathan Rea and Kawasaki, which is perhaps why they wanted Toprak!

"In terms of the teams, Ducati are very strong in WorldSBK, and I think a lot of Superbike riders know that. However, a lot of people also wanted to see Toprak at Ducati!"