Toprak wins everything during the Superbike weekend in Misano, also narrowly winning Race 2. After starting from first place the Turk had some initial difficulties in the first corners. However, he quickly moved up the rankings and on the seventh lap he got the better of an equally competitive Bulega and then closed the race alone, thus achieving a hat-trick as the undisputed dominator. BMW in the hands of the young twenty-seven year old therefore now presents itself as the main obstacle for the Ducatis, and Toprak thus extends the distance in the standings while maintaining the leadership with 179 points, 21 behind Bulega’s Ducati.
A perfect weekend, and four consecutive victories, six in the season. Do you also feel ready for MotoGP?
“With today we took everything here in Misano – Toprak intervenes – but MotoGP is another category, everything there is very different starting from the bike. If I jumped into MotoGP now I would need time to adapt to everything. I’m strong in Superbike, especially this season with this bike, for MotoGP we’ll see what happens in the future.”
Was it difficult to get Bulega back in the race?
“Yes, he was pushing hard in the early stages of the race. My start to the race was strange, at turn 4 all the riders entered the inside of the corner and I didn’t find an opening to attack, especially with Locatelli who was using everything the inside and it wasn’t easy to overtake him, after which I started pushing again, normally my plan was to wait a couple of laps before starting to increase the pace, whereas today I had to give 100% from the start, I’m waiting step by step so as not to make any mistakes. When I’m calm I feel like I have something moreafter overtaking I immediately concentrate on the pace which is fundamental for me, and today in Race 2 it was faster than in Race 1. Today we also improved the sensations on the front, the thrust of the rear was more balanced on the front and It made driving easier, I had fun.”
After a performance at these levels this weekend here in Misano it is difficult to think that BMW still needs to improve further and that you are not already 100%.
“Here we interpreted the track conditions well and what works best for this bike, which is good. Especially in the long race the sensations are really excellent and the bike setup has improved with these temperatures. This means that we are learning, and the team is working hard without breaks even during the night, and in fact this morning we made a further step forward compared to yesterday. However, I had some problems in the last two corners, where I had a lot of vibrations but I tried to adapt in the race. It was a difficult race for everyone, of course, but I am very satisfied, both for the three victories, which were my goal here with BMW, and because we worked well throughout the weekend. I’m eager to test myself at Donington in a month, one of my favorite circuits, I hope the climate there is more lenient than usual but even in the wet we’re not in a bad situation.”
Did Bautista’s crash surprise you this morning? Today he finished the race third, several seconds behind you.
“I think he still had a good race considering he started 11th on the grid, I don’t know exactly how much the gap between us was at the end of the race but I think it was normal given the start. He got the best points within his reach considering the difficulties this weekend. That’s how it is in races, sometimes you have to score points for the championship by giving your all. This weekend I felt really competitive, but it wasn’t easy to get the three victories.”
Compared to the beginning of the season, what do you feel you have improved on and what do you think you still need to improve on?
“I think that in terms of electronics, grip, ergonomics and sensations on the front we have made some steps forward. However, we still need to work on traction and engine braking, especially on engine braking, because the others are also improving”.
Compared to the past, was today one of your fastest races compared to your opponents?
“I’ve always given my best, even when I was on the Yamaha, but sometimes it’s not enough. The BMW helps a lot on the straight, it has more power. Now I finally have a good package, I ride well even if the bike is not yet 100%, but the package is a winning package and we worked well all weekend, I’m really happy.”
