Toprak Razgatlioglu expressed his enthusiasm for the upcoming Austrian MotoGP weekend, largely due to the large number of Turkish fans attending to support him. Austria hosts the third-largest Turkish population in Europe, with over 117,000 people, following Germany, which has 1.3 million Turkish citizens.
Upon arriving at the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg, Razgatlioglu quickly noticed the strong Turkish fan presence, including a grandstand dedicated to him. The three-time WorldSBK champion is optimistic that the forecasted rain will work in his favor, helping him secure a strong finish in front of what might be his biggest group of supporters this season.
“I’m really excited because I finally see many Turkish flags here,” Razgatlioglu said ahead of the race. “I’ve missed this, so it’s great, and I actually like the rain. I hope it stays like this all weekend because we have just one chance to achieve a special result.”
Looking ahead, Razgatlioglu revealed ongoing discussions with MotoGP Sports Entertainment about the possibility of Istanbul Park returning to the MotoGP calendar, potentially in 2028.
“We are currently talking about 2028, as there’s a chance to bring MotoGP back to Istanbul Park since Formula 1 has secured a five-year contract there,” he explained.
“It’s a positive development. Why wouldn’t MotoGP return to Istanbul Park? The track is fully ready now. We’re still working on it. But if the race does return, I’ll need to deliver a standout result – that means a lot of pressure for me,” he added.
Fan Take: Razgatlioglu’s strong fanbase and potential home race highlight MotoGP’s growing global reach, especially into regions with passionate support like Turkey. Bringing Istanbul Park back would not only energize local fans but also add an exciting new chapter to the sport’s calendar, making it a must-watch for racing enthusiasts worldwide.
Source: www.crash.net
