Again making all the headlines on day-one of the Misano WorldSBK round, and not because he was fastest in FP1, Razgatlioglu’s switch to BMW has been heavily discussed by🔴 other riders and Yamaha themselves.

The 2021 world champi🧜on, who signed a two-year deal with the German manufacturer 11 days ago, won’t be able to test the M 1000 RR until 2024, despite holding out hope that Yamaha would allow him to do so prior to the calendar year ending. 

• Misano World Superbike FP1 Results: Razgatlioglu fastest from factory Duc💦ati ﷺduo 
• Denning claims 🍃Yamaha was just as important as Toprak during𝄹 2021 title success

Speaking to WorldSBK.com, Sofuoglu said: "Yamaha hasn't allowed us to start early testing. In the WorldSBK pad⛄dock, normally every team allows riders after the final race, but Yamaha didn’t give us the green light to jump on the bike after the final race. 

"Toprak is very hungry ♛to jump on the BMW. I think the team will prepare a very good testing programme for Toprak. 

"I don’t think it wil♐l take a long time for Topraౠk to understand the bike and start to have good results. 

"Maybe this time next year, I guess, we will have ꦅthe first podium. Winning, we have to see, but I can tell you Toprak will sꦕtart with BMW with a podium opportunity. Maybe winning but we’ll have to see later. I’m sure about it."

Yet to win, or even come close to winning a WorldSBK title, BMW have laid out the💧ir intentions more than ever with the signing of Razgat𓄧lioglu. 

The addition of Scott Redding was seen as a big 🃏move and one that would have brought much more success than it has, however, with Razgatlioglu being in the form of his life, the German brand could not have sign𒅌ed a better rider for their future. 

But before that, Razgatlioglu is hoping to start winning more races with Yamaha after seeing Alvaro Bautista dominate the𓆏 opening four roun🦹ds of 2023.

Starting with Misano which shouꦉld be his best chance yet at dethroning the Spaniard, Razgatlioglu should be a contender in all three races, something Sofuoglu also 🥀believes will be the case. 

"We want to win theꦬ championship, but we have to be realistic," added𓆏 the former five-time WorldSSP champion. 

"Bautista is too strong. Personally, I never see it as Ducܫati being too good because Bautista is winning. 

"I think, together, they are very good. Bautista is the one ride🤪r using the Ducati like he needs to. This package is too strong together and it looks like it’ll be difficult to beat them. 

"I am v☂ery confident that there are some races Toprak will be very strong and beat Bautista [this season]. This could be at Misano. This could be much more likely at Donington and Imola. 

"There are a few races where Bautista will have a hard time. Generally, if you look at the whole season, Bautista can win the Champ☂ionship, but I think there are a lot of races that we can win."

Prior to Razgatlꦗioglu joining BMW, remaining with Yamaha in WorldSBK or in MotoGP was seen as the most likely option.

Ahead of this weekend’s Misano round, Razgatlioglu spoke about the four seasons he’s spent with Yamaha, and even hinted at a r🌜eturn to the Japanese manufacturer in the future.

Razgatlioglu stated: "It’s been a ve🌳ry long four seasons and also very good memories with Yamaha. It’s not easy to leave as I enjoyed working with this 🙈team. 

"Sometimes, you need a new challeng🌼e and new motivation. I said if I stayed in WorldSBK, I needed a new challenge now. I’ve signed for a new team. I’m happy to sꦕtay in the WorldSBK paddock and now I go for a new challenge. 

"It wasn’t easy. I was thinking about the MotoGP paddock and there weren’t many seats next year. The problem after four years is that it’s not easy to leave Yamaha. Maybe, in the future, we’ll come back toget🍸her again. 

"I’m feeling more motivated because I listen to some people say that ‘it’s not a winning bike, it’s not easy and no good results etc’. This is possibly a winning bike. This is a new dream for me and a big new challenge. It’s not easy.&nbsꦰp;

"♚This is a big dream for Kenan and for me. Maybe next year and also 2025, we don’t k꧂now, we are fighting for the Championship. I hope we are winning it. This is a big dream."