Motorsport - especially motorcycle racing, especially WorldSBK - has thrown up its fair share of characters over the years.
From Carl Fogarty, to Max Biaggi, to Frankie Chilli, compared with the harder nosed, more media managed, less fan-orientated MotoGP, WorldSBK riders generally get to reveal more of their personalities and - for want of a better phrase - ‘d**k about’ without fear of repercussion
For the most part, today’s WorldSBK stars are fully-formed celebrities getting to show off in different environments, like Alvaro Bautista, Scott Redding and Danilo Petrucci, but Toprak Razgatlioglu is a different breed of personality and for all the talk of him one day heading to MotoGP, while he lives and breaths in WorldSBK, he is a treasure that must be protected at all costs while he is here!
Here are 5 Reasons why Toprak Razgatlioglu is the best...
He is just really, really nice
As a journalist, we have the privilege of getting to know riders beyond what you see on camera and, mentioning no names, there are those that perhaps present a different image to what you see through your TV screen. Not in a bad way, per se, just different.
Toprak is 360-degrees goofy and friendly full-time, whether he is ignoring the gaps in his English to crack jokes at most opportunities, plays along with Yamaha’s active (and excellent) social media games or is directing playful barbs at his rivals, it’s fun with Toprak around.
Toprak is a gentleman on and off the screen - the perfect interview. Honest, engaged, chatty, professional.
He is a showman
We could watch these Stoppies all day long…
He's a great sportsman
He's prepared to admit to Alvaro Bautista's daughter that Dad was just better on the day... that or he is laying the groundwork for her being his #1 fan in future
He is generous
This…
That is all…
He's great with Mums...
Even Michael Ruben Rinaldi’s Mum ‘Stans’ Toprak… (poor Michael…)
CLICK HERE to view the latest 2023 WorldSBK Championship standings after Round 4 of 12 [Catalunya WorldSBK]
