This weekend, the 2025 World Superbike Championship concluded at the Jerez circuit in Spain. Toprak Razgatlıoğlu, a BMW rider, found himself in a controversial situation during the final race against his closest competitor, Nicolo Bulega. Razgatlıoğlu needed to finish within the top 13 to secure the championship title.
Championship Drama Unfolds
On Sunday at 12:00 PM, Razgatlıoğlu started the race in 10th place. Shortly after the start, he was involved in an incident where Bulega collided with him, causing Razgatlıoğlu to fall. Despite this setback, he managed to recover and climbed back to fifth place within just a few laps.
Toprak’s Podium Finish
With nine laps remaining, Razgatlıoğlu reached podium contention by securing third place. He completed the race in this position, ultimately earning his third World Superbike Championship title. This achievement placed him among the elite, becoming only the fourth rider in the series history to win three or more championships.
Future Plans for Toprak Razgatlıoğlu
As he concludes his Superbike career, Razgatlıoğlu will transition to MotoGP next season, racing for Pramac Yamaha. His departure is marked by a memorable championship celebration. After the race, he celebrated with the Turkish flag and broke his championship trophy box with a hammer.
He also celebrated with his team by performing a tire burnout, expressing his joy alongside the BMW squad.
Post-Race Reflections
During the podium ceremony, Razgatlıoğlu expressed his excitement, stating, “It’s incredible; I am very happy. Thank you to Kenan Sofuoğlu and my brother for their support. We made substantial progress every race weekend. Thank you all; we are champions once more.”
Controversy with Nicolo Bulega
Earlier in the day, Razgatlıoğlu had started the Superpole race in second place. If he finished in the top seven, he would have secured the championship before the final race. However, a collision initiated by Bulega disrupted his strategy.
As the race unfolded, Bulega received a long-lap penalty for his actions but still managed to win the race. Following the event, he was met with boos from the crowd upon returning to the garage.
Bulega’s Regret
In a post-race interview, Nicolo Bulega expressed his disappointment over the incident, stating, “I am upset about what happened with Toprak. I’m not happy with the victory. I strive to be a clean racer and did not intend to cause harm.”
This weekend’s events have left a significant mark on the World Superbike Championship, highlighting the intense rivalry and competitive spirit between Razgatlıoğlu and Bulega.
