Marco Melandri pinpoints the biggest reason Toprak Razgatlioglu will ‘cause trouble’ in MotoGP

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Toprak Razgatlioglu tops the 2025 World Superbike Championship with three rounds to go, but his future is in MotoGP at Pramac after signing a factory Yamaha contract.

The 28-year-old will finally make the move from production to prototype bikes next year. He may also leave World Superbikes as a three-time champion, having won the 2021 WSBK title for Yamaha before adding the 2024 crown for BMW. Now, the 2025 title is on the cards, too.

Razgatlioglu leads Ducati rival Nicolo Bulega by 39 points with only rounds in Aragon, Estoril and Jerez left. Once they are out of the way following the last chequered flag on October 19, the Turkish racer can turn his focus to preparing to join Pramac in the 2026 MotoGP season.

Jack Miller will partner Razgatlioglu at Pramac in 2026 after Yamaha handed the Australian a one-year extension to his factory contract. The Australian will help the Iwata natives prepare for MotoGP’s 2027 regulations, plus Razgatlioglu during the first year of his two-season deal.

Toprak Razgatlioglu will ‘cause trouble’ in MotoGP with Pirelli replacing Michelin in 2027

Moving to MotoGP will present Razgatlioglu with a huge learning curve, as he has only raced on production bikes for the past decade. The Alanya native has also not raced on a lot of the circuits on the MotoGP calendar and he is yet to experience the series’ tricky Michelin tyres.

But Pirelli will replace Michelin as MotoGP’s sole tyre provider in 2027, and Marco Melandri feels the arrival of the Italian company is great news for Razgatlioglu. The five-time MotoGP race winner expects the Turkish star to struggle in 2026, but he will “cause trouble” in 2027.

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

Razgatlioglu has astounded Melandri in World Superbikes, so the former Gresini and Ducati rider does not doubt the 2026 Pramac pilot’s potential in MotoGP. Melandri even feels Fabio Quartararo could be eclipsed by Razgatlioglu as the top Yamaha rider in the 2027 campaign.

Melandri told Motosprint: “In 2026, probably, yes. But if the new 850 is competitive in 2027, he will undoubtedly be the best Yamaha. He is a talent like few others.

“In my opinion, he and [Marc] Marquez are the two champions. Then there is Quartararo, who is another great talent. But Toprak, with Pirelli in MotoGP, can really cause trouble for a lot of people.”

Toprak Razgatlioglu could hold an advantage for 2027 with his Pirelli tyre knowledge

Razgatlioglu will be looking at the 2027 MotoGP season, with the arrival of 850cc bikes that carry less aero and Pirelli tyres, as his chance to make a mark in the premier class after one year learning the series at Pramac. Yamaha’s bike in 2026 will likely see him struggle at first.

Current MotoGP chassis are very rigid, and it is widely believed that Razgatlioglu will have to adapt his braking style on a MotoGP bike, as well. The Turkish star has made his name in the World Superbike Championship with his immense ability on the brakes, plus the Pirelli tyres.

While Pirelli will produce a different tyre compound when it replaces Michelin in MotoGP in 2027 than what it currently produces for World Superbikes, Razgatlioglu will be able to help Yamaha understand what to expect from the Italian brand and possibly boast an advantage.