WorldSBK: Ben Spies: Toprak Razgatlioglu ‘almost on par with Marc Marquez in terms of talent’

Ben Spies believes 2021 WorldSBK champion Toprak Razgatlioglu is on par with Marc Marquez in terms of talent.
Toprak Razgatlioglu, Yamaha WorldSBK Jerez 2023
Toprak Razgatlioglu, Yamaha WorldSBK Jerez 2023

Spies, who like Razgatlioglu won a Superbike title with Yamaha, moved to MotoGP following h🀅is success but has🍬 admitted to telling Razgatlioglu not to do the same.

Razgatlioglu took part in his se෴cond MotoGP test earlier this season but failed to🔯 set the world on fire.

With a move to MotoGP falling through, Razgatlioglu then signe𓂃d with BMW for th🌱e 2024 WorldSBK season.

And speaking on the Sam Zink Gypsy Tales podcast, Spies says Razg𒁏atlioglu made the right call.

“It's just that you don't feel it. Everything is stiffer, the bike and the tyrꦉes🥂,” began Spies. In comparison, with the superbike you just feel everything. You have less grip, but you have feedback. 

“My riding style was generally not suitable for MotoGP. Something like what is the case with Toprak Razgatlioglu, who I put almost on a par with Marc Má🐲rꦯquez in terms of talent. 

“I spoke to him after the tests wit💦h the M1 and told him that it would be difficult⛄ for him.”

Spies also spoke about Jonathan Rea having the talent to move across to MotoGP, although changing his riding style would be needed, according to the Ame✅rican.

Spies added: “J🌃onathan Rea is another rider who has enough talent to ride🍨 in MotoGP – but he would have to change his style. 

“He probably thought that it was better to stay in the SBK ൩and win titles than to go ♚to MotoGP.”

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