News

What’s the difference between the greatest and the best? In the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship, it’s the question a lot of people will be asking this weekend at Jerez as two WorldSBK careers draw to a close. Both Jonathan Rea (Pata Maxus Yamaha) and Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) will bow out from the World Superbike stage on Sunday. Their careers have been entwined for over ten years, and it’s fitting that the next stage of their lives come together.

THEIR WORLD SUPERBIKE CAREERS: Both re-write the history books

Rea is the greatest WorldSBK rider of all time. Six titles, 119 victories and 264 podiums show how he dominated the series. Razgatlioglu will leave for MotoGP as the best Superbike rider on the planet. His tally of two titles, 78 victories and 171 podiums should all be added to this weekend. Rea and Razgatlioglu have been the headline makers and biggest stars in the paddock for at least ten years.

REA'S JOURNEY TO BECOMING THE GREATEST: From domestic success to World Championship domination

Rea’s Superbike career began in the British championship. As an 18-year-old he took pole position in just his fourth round. The following year, he finished fourth in the standings. In 2007, he was narrowly beaten to the title by Ryuichi Kiyonari, but Honda moved him to WorldSSP the following year. He was once again runner-up, but at the final round of the season, he jumped on the Superbike and qualified on the front row. Rea’s Honda tenure showed his speed but his move to Kawasaki showed his ambition. Despite being a star rider, he had never won a championship. Armed with the green machine he immediately became the man to beat. Six titles in a row were his reward for leaving Honda. His rivalry with Chaz Davies pitted them against each other but it was against Alvaro Bautista that he enjoyed his greatest moment.

THE 2019 BATTLE: Completing an unthinkable turnaround

The 2019 season was one where Rea’s determination and mental strength came to the fore. With Bautista dominating the campaign it had looked like an impossible task for Rea to retain the title. Against the brand-new Ducati V4R it seemed that Kawasaki was outgunned. Rea though was the man that made the difference, and he won the title. It was an unthinkable title success that was somehow willed into being by Rea.

A NEW ERA BEGINS: Razgatlioglu and Redding join the fight…

The following year, it was Rea versus Razgatlioglu versus Redding. Kawasaki versus Yamaha versus Ducati. The established star versus the upstarts. Rea once again came out on top. The following year Razgatlioglu claimed his first title. The Kawasaki lost its edge and Rea contended for but never claimed another crown.

‘EL TURCO’ TAKES UP THE MANTEL: Becoming the star of WorldSBK

From that point onwards, Toprak has been the star of WorldSBK. He’s a compelling character on and off the track. With a unique style that was developed as a stunt rider, he has somehow managed to ride the bike unlike any other rider. Speaking to his rivals they talk about how relaxed Toprak is on the bike. His arms and body never look stressed on the Superbike and that saves him energy and gives him some margin for errors.

RAZGATLIOGLU AT HIS BEST: Fending off the competition

Finding a way to move the goalposts is never easy for a rider, but Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing - Ducati) found a way to set his bike up and allow him to attack Razgatlioglu. From when Bulega first sat on a Superbike until now, you see a massive change in the geometry of his bike. His seat is lower. His weight is lower. His braking capability is better. These two riders have moved the game in WorldSBK, and while Razgatlioglu had to be at his best to challenge Rea in his early career, he now needs to be at his best to beat Bulega.

THE END OF AN ERA: Sharing the track for the final time in WorldSBK

This weekend is the end of an era for WorldSBK racing. Don’t mourn the loss of Rea and Razgatlioglu from next year's grid. Enjoy the prospect of seeing the greatest rider of all time and the best Superbike rider on the planet sharing the track for the last time.  

Follow all the action from the season finale at Jerez using the WorldSBK VideoPass – now only €9.99!