News

The news that Toprak Razgatlioglu will move to MotoGP for 2026 wasn’t unexpected. At the time, though, it was clear that hope was a key strategy for BMW. They hoped that their Turkish superstar would stay in WorldSBK for another year. The offer put forth was certainly more than enough to interest any rider, but ultimately, Razgatlioglu wanted something more than could be offered; the chance to prove himself on the biggest stage.

With Razgatlioglu counting down the rounds to the end of the season, his goal will be to retain his title. For BMW, they now need to look to Plan B. The profile of the rider they’ll hire is critical. Do they look to the future or for a ready-made star? If they look to the future, Aron Canet is at the top of their list.

MOTO2 TO WorldSBK: Aron Canet could become the latest of Moto2 talent to join WorldSBK

Moto2 has been a rich hunting ground of late for WorldSBK talent. And the Spanish racer is now the gatekeeper of the intermediate class. He has had to face the fact that he won’t get a chance to be a MotoGP rider, and that means he is now the yardstick with which other riders can be judged. If you’re good enough to beat Canet, you’ve passed the Moto2 test.

The 11-time Grand Prix winner is a title contender this year, but at the Dutch T,T he spoke about his options on the table. He can stay in Moto2 and try and win a title, or he can move to WorldSBK and... try and win a title. He’s confident. He’s ready to win. Having said that, here’s an offer on the table from WorldSBK. It’s clear that he's the man that BMW has pinned some hope on for their future.

Whether BMW wants Canet as the team leader or their number remains a question. There are options on the table for Michael van der Mark to remain with the manufacturer. The Dutchman has endured a trying 2025 campaign, and a change of scenery could be a possibility for both parties. If van der Mark stays, and Canet arrives, it would give the rookie an experienced Superbike race winner to compare himself to.

If BMW decides to look elsewhere for an established team leader, Their options are quite different. On the WorldSBK grid, the only riders who would fit the profile of a Toprak replacement are Alvaro Bautista and Jonathan Rea. Both are now “damaged goods” in the eyes of many. Bautista’s career has shown that he can dominate the class, but also that he needs an ideal situation to get the most from his package. That would make the BMW a tricky sell to the Spaniard.

REA’S  FUTURE UP IN THE AIR: The six-time World Champion faces a crossroads coming up

What about Rea? The Yamaha rider faces a massive weekend at Donington Park. After a difficult year and a half on the R1, he needs a good result this weekend to give hope that they can have a future together. Yamaha would be forgiven for thinking that they would be putting good money after bad if they were to retain Rea.

The Northern Irishman is an interesting prospect for a manufacturer. In a hypothetical situation of him having stayed at Kawasaki for 2024, does anyone believe that he wouldn’t be in demand now? The WorldSBK paddock wants to write off Rea, but I would do that at your peril. In 2023, he was still an animal on the Kawasaki. Yamaha doesn’t let him exploit his natural strengths, and as a result, his reputation has taken a massive hit.

Rea has already tried to replace Toprak and seen the challenge this presents, but he wants to remain on the grid for 2025. BMW would offer him that chance, but without the Super concession frame, it’s clear that the M 1000 RR is a handful. Rea, and indeed Bautista, will be looking at all options available, and maybe Honda is a more appealing prospect for them.

BMW’S THIRD SOLUTION: Miller and Oliveira have been rumoured to be considering a WorldSBK move

The third wildcard option for BMW is to attempt to sign a MotoGP rider. The Pramac Yamaha duo of Jack Miller and Miguel Oliveira would be on the table. Toprak will join the team, and they are also eyeing up Manuel Gonzalez. The Spaniard, a former WorldSSP300 champion, leads the Moto2 championship and has already turned down an offer from a WorldSBK manufacturer for 2026.

If both Pramac riders are available, they would offer BMW the chance to sell the project with a MotoGP race winner. In Munich, having that top rider could prove critical to the project's future.

Tune in this weekend for the thrilling showdown at Donington. Watch live with the WorldSBK VideoPass! Now half off!