JAKARTA - Turkish racer Toprak Razgatlioglu realized his dream of becoming a World Superbike world champion at the Pertamina Mandalika Circuit, Central Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara, Sunday. After the race, he remembered his late father's message.
In his second season as a rider for the Pata Yamaha with Brixx WSBK team, Razgatlioglu won his first title in the WSBK paddock after overthrowing the dominance of the Kawasaki team rider Jonanthan Rea, who had won the previous six seasons in a row.
"My father always worked hard for me. He always said: Toprak one day you will become world champion," recalled Razgatlioglu after the competition launched Antara, Monday, November 22.
"But he couldn't possibly see that now. He died four years ago."
His father, Arif Razgatlioglu, is a famous stunt rider or acrobatic rider in Turkey. He and his girlfriend died in a motorcycle accident four years ago.
"This is a special day and a special season. And of course I want to say 'this is for you, Dad' and this is my dream," said Razgatlioglu.
The 25-year-old racer fought tightly with Rea in the 13th WSBK series which was held in Indonesia.
Arriving at Mandalika, Razgatlioglu bagged a 30-point advantage over Rea at the top of the standings.
He sealed the title thanks to a runner-up finish behind Rea in Race 1 which was pushed back to Sunday morning following heavy rains the previous day.
Bad weather also made the organizers cancel the Superpole Race.
Despite winning Race 1, Rea found himself 25 points adrift with one race remaining. This means that even though Razgatlioglu failed to score points in Race 2 and Rea won full points again, the title would still be won by the Yamaha rider for winning the finishing position this season.
Razgatlioglu admits he feels his chances of winning the title this year were lost when he fell 37 points behind Rea as his Kawasaki rivals won all three races at Assen in July.
"After Assen, I never worry about the championship again. I focused on racing and now I'm here.
"Today was not an easy race for me, all I could do was try my best and we are champions."
In Race 2 Razgatlioglu finished fourth behind Aruba.it Ducati team rider Scott Redding and BMW Motorrad team driver Michael Van Der Mark as Rea dominated the wet Mandalika Circuit track to claim his second win in the Indonesia series.
Razgatlioglu ended the season with a 16-point advantage over Rea which meant the Pata Yamaha with Brixx WSBK team was entitled to the team world title.
Yamaha also added to its celebrations today as it won the constructors' title beating Ducati, who are 13 points adrift in second place to sweep three titles in the 2021 season.
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