Jerez WorldSBK: Toprak Razgatlioglu: ‘I’m sad’ after losing final win with Yamaha

Toprak Razgatlioglu admits he’s ‘sad’ after closing his Yamaha chapter with a P2 finish despite crossing the line first during Race 2 of the Jerez WorldSBK round.
Toprak Razgatlioglu, Yamaha WorldSBK Jerez 2023
Toprak Razgatlioglu, Yamaha WorldSBK Jerez 2023

In what was one of ♐the greatest races, not only this season in WorldSBK, but of all-time as he and two-time champion Alvaro Bautista battled until the very last corner.

Although Bautista had the better speed and gripꦍ, Razga♓tlioglu was as determined as ever to sign off his four-year stint at Yamaha with a win.

And after many, many overtakes to keep hold of the lead,꧂ Razgatlioglu thought he di𓃲d just that before a track limits infringement on the final lap.

“I passed the chequered flag in P1, this is good for me,” said ღRazgatlioglu. “I touched the green for track limits, but I didn’t understand as I f💜elt the bike sliding. 

“Maybe, after sliding, I touched it. I didn’t gain an ad♑vantage, but rules are rules. For my last day with Yamaᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ𒀱ᩚᩚᩚha, I just tried to finish in a good position. 

“I needed to try to have gꩵood memories of 🉐my last race and winning with Yamaha. I’m a little bit sad, but I did a very good job. 

“I gave more than 100% just like at Portimao; I am really fighting with him. I needed some luck because, in the last two races, I didn’t have 🥀luck. 

“I’m sad but generally happy for my last race with Ya🔜maha, because everybody could see I gave more than 100%.”

Yamaha ‘are a family’

Razgatlioglu will next be aboard a🐭 BMW after deciding to part ways with the Japanese manufacturer earlier this season.

But the 2021 WorldSBK champion did rule out reuniting wit⛦h Yamaha in the future wꦏhen speaking post race.

Razgatlioglu t♓old WorldSBK.com: “Thanks to my team because, after four years, I feel like Yamaha are like a family. Next year, I’ll go to a different brand, but I’ll still respect Yamaha because we have very nice memories: many wins, we are th🌄e world champions after a long time. 

“Yamaha are very important to me. Not just Yamaha, but the whole team, all the guys. I really enjoyed working with these guys for the last four years, especially in the last two years. 2021, 🐼after we are world champions, I’m fe𝔍eling warmer. I will always respect Yamaha, especially the team. 

“Everybody tried their best. This weekend, everyon🔯e from Yamaha was here and they came to see me in the last r🉐ace. I’m very happy for this. 

“I’m sad because, after four years, this is the last race and next year we are no♏t together. Maybe we will work together again.”

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