Pata Yamaha’s Toprak Razgatlioglu got the big job of winning the WorldSBK Championship done by Mandalika’s eventual race one.

The first feature was postponed from Saturday afternoon due to the monsoon conditions, replacing Sunday morning’s Superpole sprint with the original 21-lap race. Razgatlioglu was determined from the outset, claiming the title by equalling Jonathan Rea on points at the close of his first chance and being ahead in the main race win tally - although he had to watch Rea take victory in both of Sunday’s contests.

In his post championship interview, much delayed because of the late start to the afternoon’s race due to further tropical weather and much messing with other schedules because of it, he admitted what it all meant to him.

“Probably not easy to explain, but I’ll try,” said the 25-year-old Turkish Superstar.

“I started in the Rookies Cup in 2013 and 2014 also, but for me every way was closed because we don’t have money - we don’t have a way. After, Kenan Sofuoglu helped me and we were coming to the Superbike paddock and I rode a Stock600 bike. In 2015 I was European champion. In 2018 I first rode in World Superbike. I said, ‘Okay, I have just one dream, World Superbike Champion,’ because I see also Jonathan Rea is a really strong rider. He’s a world champion. I think he’s a World Superbike legend because he’s a six-times world champion.

“Today I am really happy because we had an incredible fight this season with Johnny, and also we are champion. I’m really happy. My team trusts me. I trust Yamaha because after 2009 we are again champions. I’m really happy because I come here in 2020, in this team, and I said, ‘my dream world champion with Yamaha,’ and I’m now world champion.”

Razgatlioglu’s father died four years ago in a bike accident on the road, so it was emotional not having him there to see the success he had always predicted for his son.

“It was the dream of my father. My father was always working for me,” Toprak reflected. “He said always, ‘You will be one day world champion.’ But it’s not possible to see today. He died four years ago. Today is a very special day and very special season because I say this is for my dad. This is not really my day. I am really happy for this.”

Racing and beating Kawasaki’s Jonathan Rea has proved impossible for six years, which makes winning when Rea is still at the top of his form something extra special.

“Yeah. Jonathan is really, really strong,” he continued. “Also I think in this paddock every rider’s dream is beating Jonny, I think. Not easy because in 2018 he was helping me in World Superbike. Also I rode a Kawasaki. But two years, riding different brand and we are fighting on track. He is now not helping!

“Also, this season we are fighting. Magny-Cours bring the line [the green paint line he crossed, which Rea’s team reported to the stewards]. This is okay because we are fighting. This is world championship, but outside I never said anything because we are friends. We are fighting just in the track and always respecting.”

Razgatlioglu always appears nerveless, his riding style extravagant in some ways but he almost never crashes despite pushing what would be a limit for most other riders. He even appeared to attack the final round, with everything at stake, the way he attacks every race, including a couple of moments in both of Sunday’s battles.

“Normally I don’t have stress and I don’t know why,” he said. “I’m just maybe looking the race, not thinking championship. I see Bassani, he is coming to first corner. I went a little bit wide and I’m not pushing braking because I know the curb is very slippery. But the front tyre is sliding, and also I’m scared because before the race, not good feeling. Also last year in Jerez, if you remember. Also in the race, corner 15 I’m very close to crashing. But I just try for a good position. I’m just trying to be winning. Normally in the last race everybody maybe closes the gas, but I’m not closing the gas. I’m just trying my best. We are here because sometimes you need to risk. But today, I’m really happy.”

The question of when he may or may not head to MotoGP was raised again at the press conference, and Toprak said, “I like this paddock [Superbike]. We will see. I don't know maybe two years later. But I’m really happy to stay in this paddock, because World Superbike is like a family paddock. I don’t like the other paddock because too big and also I stay two years in the Rookies Cup. I see many, many people and I don’t really like, but we will see. I’m now really happy to be here.”

The Yamaha R1 and Razgatlioglu have grown into a strong partnership, and both have obviously improved in their consistency at full race-winning pace. But what has improved more, rider or bike, in 2021.

“First, we improve also the bike and I try a lot my bike,” he explained. “I think this is a big point for me. Also this season we start not out first. We start step by step. Every race weekend we improve. I think this is why we are coming here. I think every race and just focus to win. I try my best every race.”

It seems the number 54, first made famous by Kenan Sofuoglu, is going to retire, and the number one plate brought in. “I spoke with Kenan about this number,” Razgatlioglu confirmed. “The Yamaha, I don't know when you see the number one. I think time to (be) number one.”

Now Razgatlioglu’s plan will be a very short break and then he is back into the thick of it on PR duties - that he is not so keen on.

“I need a little bit holiday, alone. Tomorrow is okay but Tuesday sucks.”