Sofuoglu: Toprak free to speak with any MotoGP team for 2024

Toprak Razgatlioglu’s manager Kenan Sofuoglu has confirmed the Yamaha star will remain in World Superbike next season, but is free to speak to any MotoGP team for 2024.
Toprak Razgatlioglu and Kenan Sofuoglu, Misano WorldSBK race1, 11 June
Toprak Razgatlioglu and Kenan Sofuoglu, Misano WorldSBK race1, 11 June

Reigning WorldSBK champion Razgatlioglu made his long-awaited MotoGP debut during a private test with Yamaha at Aragon earlier this week.

But with the official Yamaha team already re-signing MotoGP champion Fabio Quartararo alongside Franco Morbidelli, there is no place for Razgatlioglu next season.

With Morbidelli’s contract running for just one more year, that could change for 2024, when Sofuoglu made clear they will be free to speak with any MotoGP team.

However, he again emphasised that Razgatlioglu will only join MotoGP with a factory team.

“If [Toprak] comes to MotoGP [it will be] only in an official team. Without an official team we are not interested,” five-time WSS champion Sofuoglu told Dorna’s Jack Appleyard at Assen.

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“The Yamaha factory team is full, that means we will be in WorldSBK next season. But in 2024 we are able to speak with any brand, any MotoGP team.

“But one thing is very clear. If Toprak comes to the MotoGP paddock, he will not come with a B team. He will come to MotoGP only with an official team.

“Without an official team, Toprak will stay in WorldSBK. This is my experience in my career and I’m going to put my riders only in official teams.”

Unfortunately for Razgatlioglu, the two-year nature of most factory MotoGP team contracts means Morbidelli’s seat might again be the only official team vacancy for 2024.

Razgatlioglu, 25, is currently third in this year’s WorldSBK standings, behind Alvaro Bautista (Ducati) and Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki).

Yamaha's MotoGP presence will be reduced to only a factory team next season, with RNF switching to Aprilia machinery.

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