No championship and no triple of race wins in Argentina, but it was still a walloping WorldSBK weekend for Pata Yamaha’s Toprak Razgatlioglu.  

Superbike’s very own ‘Greatest Showman’ Razgatlioglu missed out on two ambitions on Sunday at Villicum, but in extending his championship lead to 30 points over season-long rival Jonathan Rea with a higher points tally across all three Argentinean races than anyone else, he is still showing his true quality.

It has been a long time since Toprak was first spoken of as a top rider in WorldSBK but now he just goes from strength to strength, even if he had a tricky third race at San Juan. A tricky finish at least, as he was involved in a truly epic scrap with Redding, Rea and Bassani for a long time.

Typical of the man, he felt immediately most about missing out on his first weekend with three wins to his credit on a single meeting. “This weekend we are waiting for the three wins, but after the Superpole race I said that the second race not easy for me because everybody is very fast. I tried my best, second race, In the last three laps I tried fighting for second position, but Johnny very fast. But, in third position, I’m again on the podium.”

Razgatlioglu felt his bike was different on Sunday.
“Different bike, but I was not happy in warmup, we came back in again,” he said. “In the long race I felt some chattering, some grip problem. So third position was very good. We took good points for the championship. I’m really happy because there was no crash, not a problem, no big mistake. I’m was again on the podium and this is important.”

Razgatlioglu enjoyed the final Villicum race as much as any rider with even half an eye on the championship could do.

“Bassani was very fast, and Johnny. After Johnny passed me, I tried for second position. But it was not easy. I saw Bassani was very close, and after he was not coming for me. I’m happy for him because he is improving every race. This is good. He’s also very close to the podium.”

Next up is a potential meeting with destiny in Indonesia, but at an all-new track which adds even more spice to the cauldron that WorldSBK has become in 2021.

“This circuit, for everybody, is new. I like new track because I learn them quickly. I always say this. I’m just focused on the race to win, always. But, not possible say now the new track if I’m very fast and I’m going to win, for everybody this track is new. This year is a different year. Every race weekend changes the championship. But, I say just we will see. I think the track is very good. Also, Indonesia fans are really waiting on Superbike, and this is very good. We will see in Indonesia.”

Fans were already on Razgatlioglu’s mind as there were very enthusiastic ones all around in Argentina, and Indonesia is a big market of untapped potential and enthusiasm. “I liked Villicum also as the Argentinean fans are very crazy people, I think. Also, I have fond memories here and this is very good for me.

“This weekend, I really tried my best. Also, after the race, the Argentina people are incredible. I hope we are coming here next year again. I like San Juan and I like the Argentinean people. Thanks for everything and see you in Indonesia.”