Toprak Razgatlıoğlu, the 2021 FIM World Superbike Champion, recently traded the road racetrack for an off-road challenge aboard the next-gen BMW F900GS adventure bike. Keeping him on his toes was four-wheeled DTM racing series competitor Ayhancan Güven who also left his familiar asphalt racetrack, swapping his circuit machine to take on Toprak in a rally car.

The backdrop for the duel was Turkey’s enigmatic Dark Canyon. Renowned as one of the planet’s deepest canyons, it stands out as one of the most captivating and formidable routes with 38 rock-carved tunnels, notorious within the motorsports community for its daunting cliffs. The canyon is approximately 16 miles (25 km) long, plunges roughly a mile deep, and has a base that tapers to 33-49 feet (10-15 meters), with steep slopes that create a fascinating and challenging landscape.

Racing off the beaten track for the first time, the duo are seen challenging each other to push their limits in an adrenaline-fueled pursuit. The head-to-head looks more like a dance than anything with both Toprak and Ayhancan showing incredible maneuvers side by side as they race through the canyon. 

Even though outside his comfort zone, Toprak shows amazing control of the 500-pound F900GS, treating us to a thrilling series of high-speed drifts, wheelies, stoppies, and jumps throughout the video. After navigating his bike through a winding road full of sharp turns, Toprak added: “Riding a bike in a canyon is very different from riding on the track. My bike was too heavy to pull a stoppie, and it was not easy terrain to ride; however, it was an exciting experience for me.” 

Meanwhile, Ayhancan Güven, who achieved the prestigious Platinum license coveted by top drivers worldwide this year, engaged in the showdown with a Skoda Fabia Rally2 car, marking his career debut with this vehicle. “There were a lot of challenges throughout the canyon, and the tunnels were quite difficult to pass through. It was the first time I drove this car, and the steering set was completely different from the one I normally drive. It was a challenging experience, but I had a lot of fun.”

Photos by Jaanus Ree, Nuri Yılmazer, Mahmut Cinci, Red Bull Content Pool