Toprak Razgatlioglu extends offer to Fermin Aldeguer after Gresini rider demanded ‘a lot of money’ for #54 plate

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Toprak Razgatlioglu will make his MotoGP debut with Pramac in 2026, with his arrival in the premier class creating huge excitement for the sport.

The Turkish rider has had incredible success in World Superbikes, winning two titles in 2021 and 2024 with Yamaha and BMW respectively. Razgatlioglu will return to the former in 2026 as he makes the move across to MotoGP.

There was huge speculation as to when the 28-year-old would come to the premier class, with reports suggesting that he was waiting until 2027, when Pirelli will move from WSBK to MotoGP as the official tyre supplier. But Razgatlioglu will now move a year early, with Pramac beating Honda to a deal.

He will have to get accustomed to Michelin rubber, as well as an unfamiliar bike in 2026. While he has never ridden a MotoGP machine before, Razgatlioglu has a ‘genius’ trait at the front end, which Peter Bom believes will allow him to be fast from the off.

Fans and journalists around the paddock are eagerly awaiting the Turkish rider’s arrival in MotoGP. However, when he does make his debut, he may do so without his number 54 on the bike.

Toprak Razgatlioglu offers to talk ‘calmly’ to Fermin Aldeguer for the #54 plate in MotoGP

Gresini rider Fermin Aldeguer moved up from Moto2 to the premier class in 2025. The Spaniard chose the #54 for his Desmosedici GP24 and has secured three podiums thus far in his rookie season.

Razgatlioglu has run with the number 54 in WSBK since he joined the series. The number pays homage to his manager Kenan Sofuoglu and it also represents the Sakarya province in Turkey, where they both come from.

But the 28-year-old faces a problem as Aldeguer already uses that number in MotoGP. Razgatlioglu has previously used #7, but that is also taken, having been used by Yamaha test rider Augusto Fernandez.

When asked about the dilemma, Aldeguer was quoted by MotoGP’s official Instagram account: “Now the #54 is mine, Toprak will have to pay a lot of money for it.” In the comments of the post, the Gresini rider doubled down as he wrote: “Give me my money.”

Razgatlioglu replied to Aldeguer, offering a proposition to the 20-year-old over the matter: “We can talk about this calmly at the table, my friend. I hope you like bargaining?” followed by cry-laughing emojis.

READ MORE: Everything to know about Toprak Razgatlioglu from net worth to nickname

Will Toprak Razgatlioglu be immediately successful in MotoGP in 2026?

While Razgatlioglu will no doubt want the #54 to be his in 2026, he faces a bigger problem. He will have to adjust to a new bike, a new tyre and a new championship.

Danilo Petrucci says Razgatlioglu must change his ‘characteristics’ when he joins MotoGP. He is entering unknown territory from what he is used to in WSBK.

The Turkish rider’s talent is unquestionable, with many believing he can be competitive straight away in MotoGP. Some WSBK insiders even think Razgatlioglu will win on debut in the premier class.

But it is a different story in the MotoGP paddock as insiders are worried Razgatlioglu ‘isn’t going to work’. They fear he may struggle on the Michelin tyre in 2026.