The title of Toprak Razgatlioğluwhich was thought to be almost safe, is in serious danger. BMW will have to do without its star driver at the Cremona round Superbike World Cup. The general classification leader will miss the ninth round of the 2024 season due to his injury suffered at Magny-Cours. Markus Reiterberger He will occupy bike number 54 in Italy, and the Bavarian firm took stock of the medical situation upon his arrival in the country.
“The last few weeks have been crazy for all of us,” began BMW Motorsport boss Sven Blusch.. It should not be forgotten that after the French event, optimism persisted that Toprak would be able to compete again in Cremona. His manager, Kenan Sofuoglu, declared that his student would have returned 100%. However, he was too optimistic, although BMW also hoped to see him in action again. “We thought everything would be fine in Cremona. But as long as there's air in the system [por el neumotórax]doctors won't give the green light“.
Razgatlioglu has spent recent days in Italy and Austria receiving medical treatment. “At the moment it is not expected to fly,” the BMW official said. “Toprak is a very active person. But the pneumothorax problem forces him to rest. He can't train and has to rest, which certainly doesn't make him happy.“.
The WorldSBK season faces a double after Italy, in Aragon. Until then, Nicolô Bulega could already be the new world leader. The Italian is currently 55 points ahead in the standings. With a maximum of 62 at stake each weekend, The Ducati rider has his first chance to overtake Toprak in Cremona.
BMW expects Razgatlioglu to be in Aragon, but…
How long will Razgatlioglu be out? “Our goal is to get you back in shape to Aragon. But it's too early to tell“Blusch continued to explain, because the duration of recovery cannot be calculated.”We have to evaluate it day by day“.
The question is that the lung injury must be completely healed before the Antalya player can participate in the competition again: “Toprak won't be able to run as long as he has this pneumothorax problem“.
“It’s a very difficult situation because there is no pain. He feels mentally ready to compete. But doctors agree that it is too dangerous. If you fall again, it could be fatal. In this case, the lung could collapse. “The doctors agree on this point: it is too early,” he added.
Is BMW worried about the title it thought it had secured? “If Toprak does not return to Aragon, victory will certainly be difficult. Bulega is doing a great job this year“, declared Blusch, praising the work of the transalpine 'rookie'.
However, they still see no risk that the Turks' current campaign is over: “Not yet. For now we have to hope for the best“, he said confidently. Razgatlioglu is currently being treated at a Red Bull center in Austria. According to BMW, the Turk will find ideal conditions there to continue this process.
