Razgatlioglu made headlines last year by announcing his departure from Yamaha after a four-year partnership, opting to join BMW in the World Superbike Championship (WSBK) for the 2024 season.
This decision raised eyebrows among observers, given BMW’s struggles to compete with the leading teams since rejoining WSBK as a factory team in 2019. The German manufacturer managed just one victory in the top-tier superbike racing, achieved by Michael van der Mark in a rain-affected Superpole contest at Portimao in 2021.
In the previous season, BMW failed to secure a podium finish despite a performance dip from Kawasaki, making it relatively easier to break into the top three positions compared to earlier years.
Despite these challenges, Razgatlioglu remains optimistic about the potential of the BMW M1000RR, drawing from his initial experiences with the bike. He envisions contending for the championship in his second season with BMW.
“We’re not far behind,” remarked the Turkish rider. “I am aware that the first two tracks are difficult. On Phillip Island and in Barcelona, you always have to manage the rear tire. That is a bit difficult, but we will do our best. Things should go better in the races after that. I want to fight for victories on my favorite tracks.”
Expressing confidence in the BMW M1000RR, Razgatlioglu stated, “Nobody believes in this bike and this brand, but I believe in BMW. I am convinced that the bike is really strong.”
Having tested the WSBK contender on three different tracks in December, Razgatlioglu was pleased with the bike’s performance and engine characteristics. He acknowledged the need for further tuning, especially in managing the strong engine braking effect during corner entry.
“The engine brake is really strong on the BMW,” he explained, “But we still have to tune it better. Because when I brake hard, I can’t yet play with the bike as well as I could with the Yamaha.”
As the 2021 WSBK champion, Razgatlioglu has two more test sessions in Jerez and Portimao to refine the BMW M1000RR before the season kicks off at Phillip Island on February 24-25. While keeping an eye on the championship, he is initially focusing on podium finishes and race victories, acknowledging the need to see how things unfold during the season.
