Despite a challenging weekend marked by intense battles, controversy, and a dramatic sprint race retirement, the Turkish star secured the crown to reaffirm his dominance on the world stage.
Let’s take a look back at an unforgettable season finale in Spain.
Race 1: Bulega Wins, Razgatlioglu Secures Crucial Second
The opening race of the weekend saw Nicolo Bulega take victory for Ducati, while Toprak Razgatlıoglu finished a composed second to strengthen his championship advantage heading into Sunday.
On a track that favoured Ducati’s power delivery, Razgatlioglu made a clean start and settled into second place after the opening corners. From there, the BMW rider delivered a measured drive, maintaining a consistent pace and avoiding unnecessary risks.
Behind them, Andrea Iannone, Alex Lowes, and Xavi Vierge fought fiercely for the final podium spot, but it was Alvaro Bautista who eventually charged through the field. The Spaniard overtook Iannone in the closing laps to claim third, leaving Iannone fourth, Vierge fifth, and Lowes sixth.
Razgatlioglu’s second place extended his points buffer and positioned him perfectly for a potential title celebration on Sunday.
Superpole Race: Controversy Strikes as Bulega Collides with Razgatlioglu
The short 10-lap Superpole Race brought high tension and drama. A lightning start saw Toprak Razgatlioglu storm into the lead ahead of Nicolo Bulega but the race would soon turn chaotic.
Before the first lap was complete, Bulega made contact with Razgatlioglu at Turns 3 and 4, sending the Turkish rider into the gravel and out of the race. Bulega inherited the lead, but the stewards later deemed his move “irresponsible driving.” Despite the collision, the Ducati rider received only a long-lap penalty, a decision that sparked widespread debate across the paddock.
Further back, Jonathan Rea and Remy Gardner were also caught up in incidents that ended their races early.
At the front, Bulega managed to rebuild his gap after serving his penalty, ultimately taking victory ahead of Alvaro Bautista and Andrea Iannone. Xavi Vierge and Alex Lowes rounded out the top five.
The incident, however, left Razgatlioglu with a mountain to climb for the title decider.
Main Race: Calm, Class, and a Champion’s Ride
Starting from 10th on the grid after his Superpole DNF, Toprak Razgatlioglu faced a monumental task to seal the championship.
Bulega initially led from pole, but Bautista soon swept past to take control of the race. Meanwhile, Razgatlioglu delivered a masterclass in recovery driving, climbing to eighth by the end of the opening lap and to fifth just moments later. His relentless charge made him the biggest mover of the field.
As the laps unfolded, Razgatlioglu caught and passed his rivals with surgical precision, breaking into the top three with 12 laps remaining. Despite Bulega winning the race ahead of Bautista, Toprak’s third place was enough to secure the 2025 World Superbike Championship, his third career title and first with BMW.
Behind the top three, Xavi Vierge finished fourth and Andrea Locatelli completed the top five.
A Historic Third Crown for Toprak Razgatlioglu
The 2025 season has been a testament to Toprak’s adaptability, dedication, and championship mindset, as the beginning of the year proved to be a rollercoaster for both BMW and Toprak.
Switching machinery, facing intense competition from Ducati, and overcoming race-day chaos, Razgatlioglu once again proved why he remains one of the finest riders in WorldSBK history.
With three titles now to his name, the Turkish rider joins the elite ranks of multi-time World Superbike Champions, and BMW celebrates its second world title of the modern era.
Relive the highlights of the 2025 World Superbike Championship season here.
