Honda may have offered Toprak Razgatlioglu a seat in WSBK… and he responded by asking for MotoGP

Rumors continue to swirl in the MotoGP and World Superbike Championship (WSBK) rider market. Recent speculation from Italy involves Toprak Razgatlioglu, the current leader of WSBK.

Last week, his manager Kenan Sofuoglu revealed to SPEEDWEEK.com that Razgatlioglu intends to move to MotoGP in 2025 and has already informed his current team, ROKiT BMW, of these intentions. On the same day, reports emerged of an alleged offer from Honda for the Turkish rider.

However, GPOne.com now reports that the Japanese manufacturer’s approach was not directly about MotoGP. Instead, Honda is said to have discussed with Sofuoglu at Misano the possibility of adding Razgatlioglu to its WSBK team, which currently includes Iker Lecuona and Xavi Virgo, whose performances have been below expectations.

Nonetheless, the 2021 champion’s response was reportedly negative, with Razgatlioglu requesting a place on Honda’s factory MotoGP team. Luca Marini is under contract for 2025, while Joan Mir is not yet signed but appears to be close to a deal.

During this time of abundant rumors and speculation, it is natural for teams and riders to seek influence in contract negotiations. Razgatlioglu is a prominent figure in WSBK, and it seems illogical that he would move to MotoGP with Honda, given the uncertainties surrounding the competitiveness of the RC213V.

On the other hand, Honda’s interest in Razgatlioglu in WSBK makes sense. His talent no longer needs to be proven since he propelled BMW to the top positions. However, he is in a two-year project with the Bavarian manufacturer, making it unlikely he will move to a rival within WSBK before the end of his current contract.