World Superbike champion Toprak Razgatlioglu on late father's influence and rivalry with Jonathan Rea

“It was an incredibly important year for me, and all of the effort that I put in was for my father.” When Toprak Razgatlioglu captured the Superbike World Championship (WSBK) last season, it was about more than just reaching the pinnacle of his sport. Ad/> Conquering the world of Superbikes was of course the Turkish speedster’s objective, however, throughout his career there has also been increasing motivation to honour the memory of his father, Arif.

/> Superbikes'I'm a big fanboy!' — Clancy reveals his love of British Superbikes04/05/2022 AT 12:59 Razgatlioglu senior, known as Tek teker Arif — or ‘Wheelie Arif’ — was a famous stunt cyclist who was killed in a motorcycle accident in November 2017 – mere months before a 21-year-old Toprak’s WSBK debut. After two years with Kawasaki, Razgatlioglu switched to Yamaha in 2020 and after storming to 13 race wins the following year, was crowned champion in the final round of the year in Mandalika, Indonesia.

Razgatlioglu dedicated his win to his late father, who he is forever grateful to for the support he received as a youngster. “He believed in me more than I believed in myself,” he said.

“I wish he was here so I could share the feeling with him. “I’m sure he’s watching over me, if he was here with me still, alive and well, this whole thing would have been much more enjoyable.” 'Can you believe it? Dear, oh dear!' — Rea and Razgatlioglu collide in dramatic scenes at Assen 'I'm a big fanboy!' — Clancy reveals his love of British Superbikes Razgatlioglu’s triumph also looked to signal something of a changing of the guard as he toppled the legendary Jonathan Rea who had won the previous six years in a row.