WorldSBK: Kenan Sofuoglu confirms interest from Kawasaki before Toprak Razgatlioglu agreed BMW move

In what was one of t⛎he biggest rider transfers in years, Razgatlioglu will join BMW after a four-year stint with Yamaha inꦉ WorldSBK.
A world champion in 2021 and the first aboard an R1 since Ben Spies in 2009, Razgatlioglu has enjoyed the most succﷺessful period of his career with the Yamaha.
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31 wins since joining Yamaha in 2020 is ♏the most of any rider in that time frame, with Jonathan R🦩ea just one behind.
Whether it was staying with Yamaha in WorldSBK☂ or moving across 🔯to MotoGP, Razgatlioglu had options to remain with Yamaha after receiving an offer that would have contracted him to the Japanese manufacturer.
But after receiving interest from Kawasaki as well, Razgatlioglu optedꦗ for a new chall💖enge with BMW which also means the Turkish star is unlikely to ever make the switch to MotoGP.
Speaking to Speedweek.com, Sofuoglu said: "Toprak is looking for a new challenge. After the MotoGP test ꧂and all the stories around it, Toprak wanted something exciting.
“BMW gives him many reasons for this. Kawasaki was also interested ✃in Toprak𒊎. But when I talked to him about it, I immediately realized that he would rather show his potential at the BMW.
“I know that manyಌ people take a different view of the situation than we do, but🐠 we are ready to surprise anyone.
“We believe in this project and I fully support T🀅oprak's move to BMW - we will be world champions💝 again."
It remains to be seen who will p♛artner Razgatlioglu at the factory BMW team, as Scott Redding and 🦂Razgatlioglu’s former Yamaha teammate Michael Van Der Mark currently occupy the two seats.