Six-time WorldSBK champion Jonathan Rea feels Toprak Razgatlioglu is the early season favourite, although hype🅠 surrounding the Yamaha rider’s future could play i🐼nto his hands. 

Even before winning the 2021 title, rumours about Razgatlioglu’s future in WorldSBK were a hot top🐠ic of discussion. The 25 year-old has and continues to be heavily linked with🧔 a switch to MotoGP for 2023. 

Whether a move to MotoGP comes to frui♛tion or not, Razgatlioglu will first look to de𒉰fend his WorldSBK title against Rea who believes that the Turkish rider is the favourite as it stands. 

But with thℱat said, Rea himself has spoken about the rumours linking Razgatlioglu with a move away from Superbike racing and that the hype surrounding hi﷽s future could have a positive effect on his 2022 campaign.

"Is Toprak the guy to beat? Well, let’s see!🍷 You’d be silly to bet against him and I really feel that he starts as favourite," Rea told WorldSBK.com. "I t🔯hink that it really helps our preparations with the hype surrounding him and his future. 

"I’m curious to see how he is going𝄹 to perform in 2022. In WorldSBK, you never know. After Toprak, so many guys filled the podium in 2021, a lot of unexpected guys and a lot ofꦇ race winners, it was incredible!

"I expect the same kind of season (as 2021); rookies with more experience, factorieღs learning more, rider changes such as Bautis🐲ta to Ducati, Redding to BMW and also MotoGP riders coming into Honda! It’s all change! 

"With that, you need to understand everyon💝e’s place and I’m sure that after three or four rou✅nds, we’ll understand the evolution of the championship but for me, I’m just focussed on myself. 

"If I can do that, then I’ll be fighting for podiums and hopefully a little bi♊t ൲more."

The first pre-season test in which Razgatlioglu and Rea wi⭕ll both be on track together takes place in fou🃏r days time at Portimao.