Toprak Razgatlioglu is ‘sad’ he won’t get to race against one MotoGP legend when he makes Pramac debut

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Toprak Razgatlioglu can now begin preparations for his long-awaited entry into MotoGP. Yamaha confirmed before the Grand Prix of Italy that the two-time World Superbikes champion would race for Pramac next year.

Razgatlioglu’s priority for now will be his WSBK title bid. He’s just nine points behind Ducati’s Nicolo Bulega, potentially a future MotoGP rival, in the standings.

But there are only six races remaining on the calendar, which comes to an end in mid-October. Yamaha’s concessions ranking should give the Turkish rider the chance to carry out some testing.

Razgatlioglu was expected to wait until 2027, when the regulations will be overhauled and the series will switch to familiar Pirelli tyres. He’ll be at a clear disadvantage relative to his competitors in his rookie year.

Some in the WSBK paddock think Razgatlioglu could win on his MotoGP debut. But even if Yamaha’s bike is good enough to contend at the 2026 opener, that may be too much to ask.

Toprak Razgatlioglu wishes he could have raced against Valentino Rossi

Razgatlioglu spoke to TNT Sports during the last World Superbikes round at Misano. He was inevitably asked about the prospect of going up against Marc Marquez in MotoGP.

Marquez is setting the benchmark in Grand Prix racing, 32 points clear of his brother Alex at the top of the table. He’s pursuing what would be a seventh premier-class title.

Razgatlioglu says it will be ‘amazing’ to test himself against the Spaniard. But he says it’s a shame he can’t compete with Valentino Rossi.

Rossi retired at the end of the 2021 season, when Razgatlioglu won his first WSBK championship, and is now racing in sportscars.

“First, I’ll say I’m really happy to ride with him on the same track because he’s really a legend,” he said. “Also, I’m a little bit sad because Valentino Rossi is not there anymore.

“But Marc Marquez is still there, I’m riding with him on the same track. For me, it’s amazing.”

Neil Hodgson names the big similarity between Toprak Razgatlioglu and Valentino Rossi

Razgatlioglu may feel that he’s in the same mould as Rossi. Of course, he can’t compete in terms of achievements, but as TNT pundit Neil Hodgson noted, they’re similar in character.

“He’s the closest I’ve seen to Valentino Rossi,” Hodgson said. “We’ve seen Valentino Rossi do all these things with his celebrations in the past.

“Other people have tried it and it looks forced, but not for Toprak. He has the ability as a stunt rider to do the best stoppies, the best wheelies. He is the ultimate showman.”

He’ll want to emulate Rossi in the future by racing for the Yamaha factory team. But Razgatlioglu can’t represent Yamaha right now because of his ties to Red Bull – major rivals with title sponsor Monster.