There was lots to celebrate from within the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship paddock this year and it all culminated in a special FIM Awards ceremony as the three Champions from the paddock were rewarded for their success. The FIM Awards ceremony took place in Liverpool on Saturday with WorldSBK Champion Alvaro Bautista, WorldSSP title winner Nicolo Bulega and two-time WorldSSP300 Champion Jeffrey Buis just a small number of riders who were celebrated by the FIM following their respective World Championships in 2023. Check out stunning pictures from the event in the UK in the gallery at the top of this page!

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The moment has finally arrived; 2021 WorldSBK Champion Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) got to try the BMW M 1000 RR for the first time and he was overjoyed with the first impressions. Despite a mechanical issue after just two laps, the smile said it all for Razgatlioglu, who described the sensation of the power, the braking, the turning and the feeling within the team. It was originally planned that Razgatlioglu would test on Monday, 4^th December but with unpredictable weather coming, he and Shaun Muir’s team decided to get the ball rolling with a half a day of testing on Sunday.

“IT’S VERY POSITIVE… INSIDE THE TEAM, MY FEELING IS VERY WARM” – Toprak talks 

Beginning in his usual humorous fashion, the #54 was relieved to finally try the bike: “First, I say, finally! We were waiting for my contract to finish but finally, I’m riding a BMW. For me, it’s very positive, I like hard braking but the engine braking was working a lot. Inside the team, my feeling is very warm and everyone is a very good person, so I’m happy for this. The first day is done but I think the total was only 11 laps but it was important to have a feeling. The first ride was very good and positive.

“We tried to put my setup but today, we didn’t start it really because the bike wasn’t ready. We used half a day from 12pm. We had a problem and everyone said it was the engine but actually it was an oil problem. I lost time due to that but my last run was very positive as I rode eight laps. I learnt the bike as both this and my old one are different. I’m very happy as every lap I’m improving and learning the bike’s style. I need my style but in the slow corners, I feel better now.”

CAREER RECAP: BMW the third manufacturer for ‘El Turco’

Starting his WorldSBK career with Kawasaki – coincidentally with a first test at Portimao in 2017 – Razgatlioglu was a podium finisher in his first season in 2018, before becoming a race winner in 2019. He moved to the factory Yamaha team in 2020 where he won his first-ever race for them, whilst in 2021, he stopped Jonathan Rea and Kawasaki’s reign in the Championship, taking the crown. In 2022 and 2023, valiant efforts left him just short of Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati), with a new challenge needed for the #54, thus his switch to BMW. However, one hot topic was the power of the BMW, which features engine upgrades for 2024.

“I FELT UNBELIEVABLE POWER” – the smile said it all…

“On the first lap, I was just smiling,” resumed a still-smiling Razgatlioglu. “Especially on the corner exit. I know my old bike very well after 4 years but on the exit of the last corner, I felt unbelievable power and over the hill, it was still going. This bike keeps getting faster. I had to adapt the braking at the first corner because I was trying it like I had before but I stopped a lot. Also, after the problem at Turn 1, there was oil on the left side of the track so we used the middle. This wasn’t easy for me to turn into Turn 1. Anyway, every lap I was getting better, understanding the bike and the traction. The throttle connection is much better. I’m very happy and we have many parts to try.”

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All eyes are going to be glued to websites and social media the world over this weekend as a MASSIVE test debut awaits Toprak Razgatlioglu and the BMW M 1000 RR. Joining the ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team for 2024, the 2021 World Champion and flamboyant WorldSBK star will get his first taste of track action at the rollercoaster of Portimao. However, top BMW overall in 2023 was Garrett Gerloff and we briefly caught up with the American, who is already warning Toprak’s rivals of some fierce competition in 2024.

“IT’S REALLY COOL TO SEE BMW’S EFFORT INTO THE WHOLE PROGRAMME”

Starting with the wider changes within BMW for 2024, the Magny-Cours polesitter explained that it’s a good time to be part of an ‘exciting’ BMW group: “It’s really cool to see BMW’s effort into the whole programme; I know with Toprak coming and all the riders that are already here, we can move the programme forwards quite a bit. I think it’s going to be an exciting year for that.”

CHANGE IS HAPPENING ALREADY: WorldSBK success at the forefront of BMW’s thoughts

Within BMW’s 2024 WorldSBK commitment, there have been structural and operational changes. On the face of it, although Jurgen Roder and Michael Galinski’s Bonovo Action BMW were already closely tied to the factory team, they’ll now become a second factory team, receiving new material as the same time as the Shaun Muir-run squad and the same support. Within the teams already, a personnel change as Scott Redding moves to the Bonovo squad, taking with him electronics engineer Niklas Winkler. With Toprak, Phil Marron will follow as crew chief, having gone with the Turk when he originally joined Yamaha.

BEHIND THE SCENES: huge changes and commitment

In terms of wider personnel, Marc Bongers remains as BMW Motorrad Motorsport Director, although the roles of technical director and head of customer racing are created directly under him. The technical director will be Christian Gonschor whereas Uwe Geyer is the head of customer racing as well as head of marketing.

In terms of development, there will be a new test team too, with anticipation building as to who will be part of that team. The development facilities in both Munich and Berlin are likewise being expanded, with “synergies” between BMW Motorrad Motorsport and production development of the M 1000 RR enhanced, as BMW Motorrad Motorsport is on the same premises as the production development of the racing motorcycle.

Under Gonschor’s leadership, specialised teams have been created for the test team, chassis, engine, electronics and aerodynamics areas. These teams are primarily based in Munich, with specific workshops, test and development motorcycles, testbeds and wind tunnels at their disposal, ensuring optimal conditions for developing and testing the BMW M 1000 RR and new racing components. Engine development takes place at the BMW Motorrad plant in Berlin

“I SEE HIM BEING EXACTLY THE SAME, GOING JUST AS FAST OR MORE THAN LIKELY, FASTER!”

Specifically referring to what Razgatlioglu can expect to feel, the 28-year-old Texan doesn’t think ‘El Turco’ will have any qualms: “I think he’s going to like it! The steps that we’ve made with braking, I don’t think he’s going to feel too far away from where he was. Honestly, I don’t see him struggling at all; I see him being exactly the same, going just as fast or more than likely faster. I think he’ll gel with it really good and I’d be surprised if he wasn’t doing lap records in the second test.”

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One of the big moves for the 2024 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship was Toprak Razgatlioglu’s move from the Pata Yamaha Prometeon WorldSBK team to the ROKiT BMW Motorrad Motorsport WorldSBK Team for next season. The #54 has had to wait for his debut on the M1000RR machine but that wait finally comes to an end in early December as he gets his first two tests on his new bike at the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve and the Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto.

THE FIRST TEST: a trip to Portimao

The first outing for the 2021 World Champion on the BMW machine will come at the ‘rollercoaster’ Portimao circuit, a venue where Razgatlioglu battled hard with Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) this year when on his Yamaha YZF-R1 machine. This takes place on Monday, December 4^th for a one-day test alongside teammate Michael van der Mark with the pair reunited after spending two seasons at Pata Yamaha together.

PORTUGAL TO SPAIN: two days at Jerez await

On December 5^th and 6^th, the factory BMW outfit head to southern Spain and the historic Jerez venue for two more days of testing, with the action coming thick and fast for both team and riders. The short trip from Portugal will give the Turk another two days on the M1000RR as he continues to adapt to his new bike, with his first two outings coming at very familiar circuits to everyone as he looks to get in the best possible shape for his new challenge.

WHAT TO WATCH OUT FOR: big aero changes for Razgatlioglu…

Portimao and Jerez are venues the #54 likes, having enjoyed so much success there or putting up fierce fights against his rivals so having his first outings on the M1000RR machine at these circuits makes sense. The first big change for the Turk will be the aero changes, going from a Yamaha that doesn’t feature prominent aerodynamics to a BMW bike that has big winglets on the fairing. Then, of course, there’s adapting to a new bike in general that will have a different feel compared to what he’s ridden for the last four years. However, the 2021 Champion will be aided by long-term crew chief Phil Marron, who follows him to BMW and returns to Shaun Muir Racing.

IS ANYONE ELSE TESTING? HRC in Portugal, first taste of WorldSBK for Sam Lowes

Alongside the factory BMW team at Portimao, Team HRC will be there with regular riders Iker Lecuona and Xavi Vierge, as the new-for-2024 Fireblade gets its second outing. There will also be a debut for Sam Lowes and the Marc VDS Ducati team, who get their first taste of WorldSBK action at Jerez during the same week. With the MotoGP™ campaign not finishing until the final weekend of November, the Brit has yet to get his hands on the Panigale V4 R and this changes at Jerez as he prepares for a maiden WorldSBK campaign.

Reference lap times:

Portimao pole/all-time lap record – 1’39.610s (Jonathan Rea, Kawasaki, 2022)

Portimao race lap record – 1’39.826s (Toprak Razgatlioglu, Yamaha, 2023)

BMW fastest Superpole time 2023 – 1’40.171s (Michael van der Mark, ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team)

BMW fastest race time 2023 –1’40.358s (Garrett Gerloff, Bonovo Action BMW)

Jerez pole/all-time lap record – 1’38.247s (Jonathan Rea, Kawasaki, 2019)

Jerez race lap record – 1’39.004s (Alvaro Bautista, Ducati, 2019)

BMW fastest Superpole time 2023 – 1’39.164s (Scott Redding, ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team)

BMW fastest race time 2023 – 1’40.429s (Scott Redding, ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team)

Read BMW stablemate Gerloff’s preview of Razgatlioglu’s test HERE and follow all the WorldSBK off-season news in style using the comprehensive WorldSBK VideoPass!

Source: WorldSBK.com