Toprak Razgatlioglu isn’t fond of Phillip Island but has 🥃renewed opꦯtimism for the World Superbikes opening round this weekend.

Razgatlioglu will race for BMW f😼or the first time, after his winter switch from Yamaha.

He stunned during pr𝔍eseason, smashing a WSBK lap record at Phillip Island 48 hours ago in a one-day test after also shining in Jerez.

“I am not feeling pressure. But I 💃feel excited,” Razgatlioglu said.

“It looks like we’re ready. But not 100% because I am still learninꦰg the electronics and traction control.

“In the test, we made good lap tiꦚme. Everyone is happy but I am focused on the race.

“Two days ago I did a good lap time b🉐ut it was a new surface. Everyone was fast, the pace is strong.

“The problem is the rear tyre. If you push for 13 laps it is destroyed because of the new asp🌟halt.

“For me, it’s not easy. It span a lot. Now, finally, the new asphalt means more grip. Just a problem with tyre li♔fe.

“Tomorrow we will try differen🤪t set-ups because we need to be more strong.

“Generally, the bike is working here.”

Going down to Australia has sometimes proved tricky for Razgatlioglu, who struggled la🌸st year at this track.

He admitted: “W🍒hen I com🥀e here, I am really scared!

“Last𝓰 year, I was just fighting for the podium. For me, it’s not an ꦏeasy track. It’s not my style.

“But in the test we were strong with good lap time. T🌃his is m✤otivation for me.

“Tomorrow I will do th𝔍ree or four race simulations.

“It looks like we are♏ fighting for the po𝓰dium here.”

Razgatlioglu w♓on at Phillip Island in 2020 on his Y💃amaha debut. He won the WSBK title a year later.

Starting his BMW adventure inꦏ a similar vein feels achievable given his preseason joy, and the injury struggles of Jonathan Rea and Alvaro Bautista.

“This is my dream now,” Razgatlioglu said.

“I don’t like to talk before the race like this.

“I am focused on the podium. If I feel gooꦗd in the race, I will fight for the win. This is my target.

“I always dream of 𓆏winning the first race but when I think about it a lot, it does not come true…”