Latest news with #WSBK
Gulf Today
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Gulf Today
Twice Superbike champ Razgatlioglu to ride for Pramac in MotoGP in 2026
Twice World Superbike champion Toprak Razgatlioglu will make the switch to MotoGP in 2026 after agreeing to join the Prima Pramac Racing team, Yamaha announced on Tuesday. Razgatlioglu, the first Turkish Superbike world champion who is known for his showmanship and has 63 wins, won his first title with Yamaha in 2021 before making the switch to BMW, winning the title again in 2024. Pramac made the switch from Ducati bikes to Yamaha this season. Razgatlioglu is currently second in the 2025 Superbike championship. "Toprak, the most victorious Yamaha rider of all time in Superbike, has proven to be an exceptional talent, securing the WorldSBK Title twice, which is no mean feat," Paolo Pavesio, the managing director of Yamaha Racing, said in a statement. Toprak Razgatlioglu poses on the podium after securing himself as the 2021 WSBK champion at the Mandalika Circuit, Central Lombok. File/AFP "His transition to MotoGP is both a 'homecoming' and an exciting new challenge that's been set up with the clear goal of progressive growth over time." Razgatlioglu had previously tested the Yamaha bike in 2023. Pramac currently have Jack Miller and Miguel Oliveira as their riders this season, with Yamaha saying the 2026 lineup will be confirmed in due course. Current WorldSBK leader Nicolo Bulega is also set to join Ducati's MotoGP test team next year ahead of a potential switch in 2027 when MotoGP's new regulations come into effect. Reuters
Hypebeast
28-05-2025
- Automotive
- Hypebeast
BMW Motorrad Unveils Concept RR Superbike at Villa d'Este
Summary BMW Motorradhas pulled the covers off its boldest superbike vision yet at the 2025Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este: theBMWMotorrad Concept RR. Inspired by the championship-winning M 1000 RR piloted by Toprak Razgatlıoğlu, the Concept RR offers over 230 hp from a water-cooled inline four-cylinder engine and transfers BMW's World Superbike (WSBK) racing dominance directly to the street. Built with cutting-edge carbon and aluminum components, the bike is designed for maximum lightweight performance and aerodynamic precision. From the compact ventilated fairing to the sculpted tail section with a glowing RR emblem, every detail screams speed. Integrated winglets, advanced traction control and engine braking systems borrowed from the M 1000 RR complete the package. BMW also debuted the Concept RR LTD jacket alongside the bike, a limited-edition collaboration with MEINDL crafted from fine calf Nappa leather. Only 50 will be made. Markus Flasch, Head of BMW Motorrad, called it a 'true masterpiece' and the clearest expression yet of the brand's commitment to pushing the boundaries of performance, design and technology. The Concept RR marks a new chapter for the next generation of BMW superbikes — track-ready but built for the road.
Scoop
17-05-2025
- Automotive
- Scoop
Intrepid Kiwi Teen Ready To Accept New Challenge
MAY 18, 2025: Rising teenage motorcycling star Nixon Frost, from Lower Hutt, is primed and poised to accept his latest major international challenge. In February this year, the talented young road-racer performed with distinction in the combined opening round of the Australian Superbike Championships (ASBK) and round one World Superbike Championships (WSBK) at Phillip Island, near Melbourne, returning home with skills sharpened and with a keen taste for more top-level international racing. The 14-year-old Frost dominated the Supersport 150 class during the 2025 New Zealand Superbike Championships, which wrapped up at Taupo in March, capturing the class outright and also winning the race-within-a-race honours to also claim the NZGP title for this class. But now he's set again to explore further afield, signing up to race the FIM Asia Road Racing Championships, entered as a wildcard rider at round two of the series at the Sepang International Circuit, in Malaysia, from May 30-June 1. 'Nixon finished third in the final race of the weekend – getting himself on the podium – in the Australian national 300cc class championships in Queensland just two weeks ago and that was a huge achievement. I really think he's ready for Sepang now,' said proud father Sloan 'Choppa' Frost, a two-time former New Zealand 1000cc superbike champion. 'This has all com about due to our connections with a fellow racing family in Australia, the family of Lachlan Epis (who raced in New Zealand a few summers ago), and the Evolution Sports Group, who have been helping us out in Australia from the beginning. 'There is a possibility that Nixon can race the following rounds of the FIM Asia Road Racing Championships after Sepang too, although he's under no illusion just how difficult that will be. 'It was always going to be a huge challenge, but he's still only 14 and so has plenty of years ahead of him yet. 'Fortunately for us, Kuala Lumpur Airport backs on to the Sepang circuit, so his support crew from Evolutions Sports will be right there to take care of us.' As for Nixon Frost himself, everything is as exciting as it is new and he is, as expected, looking forward to the challenge. 'I am super excited to do this. It is a whole new level of competition and I cannot wait. It's going to be awesome. 'This a is another level of racing above the Australian Superbike Championships. 'There will be a lot to learn because it's all new to me. It will be a big learning curve for me because I'm not familiar with the track, I don't know the bike and I have only ever faced up against one of the riders who will be lining up. So, I know only a little of what talent I might expect to race against.' Regardless of how this latest adventure pans out for young Nixon Frost, we know he won't give up and it's a safe bet that he'll follow on in the wheel tracks of so many famous road-racing Kiwis before him, men such as Hugh Anderson, Ginger Molloy, Graeme Crosby, Robert Holden, Bob Toomey, Jason McEwen, Richard Scott, Mike Pero, Mike Hailwood, Neville Hiscock, Dave Hiscock, Rodger Freeth, Simon Crafar, Aaron Slight, Andrew Stroud and Tony Rees, to name just a few.
Belfast Telegraph
02-05-2025
- Sport
- Belfast Telegraph
Jonathan Rea endures tough day on return to action: ‘I don't feel amazing'
Rea has been out of action since injuring his left foot in a crash in testing at Phillip Island in Australia at the end of February. He was given the all-clear to race this weekend by the WSBK Medical Director but the record-breaking six-time world champion said it was a challenging comeback after such a long period out of the saddle. Rea set his fastest lap in 1'30.547, which was 1.3 seconds down on pacesetter and championship leader Nicolo Bulega ( Ducati). 'It's been a difficult day but firstly, my foot feels fine riding,' Rea said. 'I had a couple of areas where my foot was in the wrong position and when I ride with my big toe on the foot peg it feels quite painful but generally it's fine. 'Of course, it's been a long time off the bike and physically, I didn't feel amazing. 'However, I expected that to an extent and need some race fitness back. 'The R1 is quite different to when I last rode it and we worked through FP1 and FP2 with the same tyre set-ups to find the rhythm and still I didn't feel fully comfortable. 'We made some changes but nothing has really ticked the box yet to let me stop the bike in the way I really want to, so that's the focus for tonight to give me more confidence to reach the apex. 'We'll try to make a step tomorrow but – even if it's really tough – it's great to be back with the team and re-starting the journey to being fully competitive.' Rea is competing at Cremona for the first time after he was ruled out of last year's inaugural round at the new WSBK venue because of injury. Italian Bulega led the times by 0.307s from BMW's Toprak Razgatlioglu, who is also making his debut at Cremona this weekend after he, too, missed the 2024 race through injury. Bulega finished second in the standings in a sensational rookie season in World Superbikes last year and currently leads Razgatlioglu by 21 points going into the fourth round. The first race today is scheduled for 1300 BST with tomorrow's races at 1000 BST and 1300 BST.
