Toprak Razgatlioglu has pointed out a rival who will return to the forefr💫ont of the World Superbike Championship this year.

Alvar🎃o Bautista was unable to sustain a serious title bid last year, as the reigning champion.

Bautista🌄 pondered retir🌞ement but will return to WSBK in 2025, aged 40, seeking a third title.

His Ducati teammate Nicolo Bulega, who challenged Razg𝓡atlioglu until the final round last year, has also caught the eye.

“Bulega’s first year was amazing; he w🥃as very strong in every race weekend,” Razgat🐲lioglu said.

“He’ll come back stronger this year.

“I’m waiting for Alvaro because it looks like🅠 he’s started working hard🌜.

“If he comes back, I th💖inꩲk we’re fighting a lot at the front.

“This is good for people. I thin🍌k everyone enjoys it a lot.

“It’s good fighting with 🦹more people at the front. It’s not easy to say anything before the season starts because everyone’s very strong.”

Razgatlioglu’s ꧃return this season 🍎will feature the #1 plate on his BMW.

He is aiming to defend his title, which he was unable to do afte🔴r winning with Yamaha in 2021.

The #1 will give ౠhim added impetus - but also puts a tar🐷get on his back.

“I think everyone likes it like this! When I use the #1, I’m feel🍨ing more pressur🐼e but normally I don’t like it,” he said.

“I’m using it for BMW because th𒁏is was a lot of teamwork; finally, we got the titl🌞e, and we are Champions.

“The #1 looks nice with the BMW. I hope we keep it at the end of the year, this is the imᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ𒀱ᩚᩚᩚportant thing.

“Last year, I didn’t think aboඣut any targets,ꦯ but I did an incredible job.

“This year, I’m just thinking about Phillip Island and some races I didn’t win.♉ I need to win now. Especially at Phil🐓lip Island, I’ll try to win there.

“Everyone’s very strong and working hard. I ho𒐪pe we get the title again.”