Neil Hodgson backs Honda plan to bring ‘sensational’ Toprak Razgatlioglu to MotoGP, ‘it would make sense’

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Toprak Razgatlioglu is once again emerging as a target for a few MotoGP teams and Neil Hodgson could see Honda’s plan to sign the World Superbikes rider happening.

The 28-year-old has been a perineal target for a number of MotoGP teams over the years as a result of his dominant displays in WSBK. Yet Razgatlioglu has so far rejected all advances to swap the production bike class for prototypes given the lack of an appealing factory offer.

Razgatlioglu has always insisted he will only leave World Superbikes for MotoGP if he gets a competitive factory bike. The Turkish star has finished in the top two of the WSBK standings in each of the last four seasons, and won the title with Yamaha in 2021 plus BMW last term.

Neil Hodgson backs Honda plan to sign Toprak Razgatlioglu for MotoGP but spend 2026 in World Superbikes

But with the Alanya native’s contract with BMW due to expire at the end of this season, the chance to sign Razgatlioglu is enticing interest from Honda and Yamaha. It has emerged that Yamaha are considering approaching Razgatlioglu to ride for Pramac as early as next year.

Also, Honda have spoken with Razgatlioglu about a two-year MotoGP contract including two extra optional years. But the plan to get the WSBK star to come across to prototypes gaining a bit of traction is Honda could sign Razgatlioglu and leave him in World Superbikes in 2026.

While BMW want to keep Razgatlioglu beyond this season, Honda are open to exploiting the MotoGP testing rules by having the Turkish ace join their WSBK team next year and also test their 2027 MotoGP bike to prepare for the new rules. It is a plan Hodgson says makes sense.

Hodgson told TNT Sports 2 (14/4, 17:18): “It would make sense, I could see that happening.”

Toprak Razgatlioglu could help Honda develop their 2027 MotoGP bike and their WSBK programme

Honda could benefit in both paddocks by having Razgatlioglu spend 2026 with their World Superbikes squad before moving to MotoGP in 2027 when the 850cc bikes and Pirelli tyres arrive. He could also help Honda prepare for the Pirelli tyres given his experience in WSBK.

READ MORE: Everything to know about Honda from the MotoGP team’s riders to leadership

The Honda CBR1000RR-R is far from the best bike in World Superbikes, too. So, having even only one year with Razgatlioglu could help the Japanese brand’s WSBK programme develop. Honda’s WSBK team could reap lots of rewards with how highly Hodgson rates Razgatlioglu.

Hodgson also told TNT Sports 2 (11/04, 17:17): “Toprak, at the moment, is the fastest man on two-wheels in Superbikes. He’s sensational to watch, he looks incredibly aggressive and he is aggressive as a racer.

“But apart from his braking, which is obviously very unique the way he is so aggressive he is on the brakes, he crashed twice last year. So, he’s not a crasher, he’s got a lot of feel…

“When you think of Toprak, you think of an animal on a bike just throwing it into the corners [and] being aggressive, but he’s not. He’s aggressive on the brakes but he’s super smooth on the throttle. So, he’s not relying on the traction control, he’s got ultimate feel.”