Toprak Razgatlioglu’s talents have been m𓃲ade obvious in recent seasons of Wor♕ldSBK, perhaps never more so than in his dominant run to the 2024 title.

For 22-time WorldSBK race winner Marco Melandri, Razgatlioglu’s ability has been clear since his first seasons in WorldSBK, particul𒉰arly from 2🍰019, the year Razgatlioglu took his first race win in the series at Magny-Cours.

“I think Toprak [Razgatlioglu], for me, from when I saw him on-trac𝐆k in 2019, he has something special,” Melandri, who won BMW’s first WorldSBK race back🐲 in 2012 at Donington, told WorldSBK.com at the recent EICMA motorcycle show in Milan.

“I’m so happy that he won with 🐽BMW, because [I’m] a part of their history because I won their first races.”

For Melandri, it’s not so much Razgatlioglu’s pure speed that makes h༺im stand out as much as 🍃his bike control.

“The control of the bike Toprak has, I 😼never saw in any🐼body else,” he said.

“Maybe [Casey] Stoner or [Marc] Marquez can be fasꦬter, but Toprak has amazing control, so it’s reall🌸y a pleasure to see him ride on-track and how he can stop the bike when you think it’s impossible to do it.”

Razgatlioglu’s ability makes him the obvious favourite for the 2025 title, although ▨Melandri also has his eye on br🥃ands other than BMW.

“For sure next yeꦡar he is going to be the rider to beat, BMW for sure are aware th𒅌at they can win again — they have the best rider in the field,” the Italian said.

“So, for the other guys, it’s not easy to c🧔ome back.

“It will be very interesting to see Bimota, it looks l꧂ike they have started very well, and for me also Honda can be a good surprise.”