SBK, BMW sets its sights on Toprak and... Iannone

BMW is not exactly short on resources, whether technical or financial. And yet, despite the new M1000RR and as many as four factory bikes on track, the WorldSBK results are slow to come, with Redding, Gerloff and company often placing outside the top ten. But it appears that the German manufacturer is ready to bet on other top riders in the immediate future, attempting to lure them away from the competition.

Sofuoglu confirms: “BMW has made Toprak an offer”

And the rider the German brand appears most keen on for the coming seasons is none other than Toprak Razgatlioglu, as confirmed by his manager or mentor, or rather five-time SSP world champion Kenan Sofuoglu. It seems that BMW has made the Turkish rider a significant offer, in an attempt to lure him away from the Yamaha factory team towards the M1000RR.

The negotiations between Toprak and Yamaha drag on, with differing offers and demands delaying the arrival of a possible renewal, and then there’s also the (remote) possibility of a move to in MotoGP. With BMW as a “second option”, might this encourage the Iwata manufacturer to raise its offer in order to keep hold of one of the best talents on the grid?

Iannone in SBK with BMW?

As for other potential BMW riders, a very interesting, albeit unlikely rumour (at least for now) was circulating in the Barcelona paddock, a rumour relating specifically to Andrea Iannone.

Following his long period of disqualification, the Italian rider’s name has been linked to various teams over the years, in both the MotoGP and Superbike paddocks. Andrea has always confirmed that he continues to train and that he knows he’s still fast. And he still has a big following, despite having been away from the tracks for so long. Could he really be the one to help BMW return to winning ways in the not too distant future?