Marco Bezzecchi
Toprak Razgatlioglu could be set to be one of the surprise packages of the 2026 MotoGP season with Pramac.
There are low expectations for the Turkish rider, as he adjusts to life after leaving the World Superbike Championship. A three-time champion there, he must now mould his riding style to that of MotoGP if he wants to be successful in the long term.
Razgatlioglu will be partnered with the experienced Jack Miller, who should be able to help teach him a lot in his debut campaign. Pramac are also one of the well-oiled satellite operations on the grid, and will be able to help teach him a lot in a short span of time.
To be successful in 2026, Razgatlioglu has been told what to do, and it involves him making sure that he’s really ready to compete after the summer break. Otherwise, Razgatlioglu could destroy his confidence and possibly leave himself regretting the switch.
READ MORE: Toprak Razgatlioglu admits he’ll be forced to make one change when he makes 2026 MotoGP switch
Toprak Razgatlioglu expects ‘special things’ from himself in MotoGP during 2027
Razgatlioglu has been tipped to win on debut, and his skills are highly thought of by his peers in the World Superbike Championship. For much of the current campaign, he dominated and showed why now is the right time to be taking such a leap.
After failing to secure a spot on his new team for BMW crew chief Phil Marron, Razgatlioglu knows he lacks status. He will have to start again, but since everything is going to be new to him, it shouldn’t faze him that much.
The 29-year-old believes that he is capable of ‘special things’ in MotoGP, but only once the new regulations arrive in 2027, and his rivals are forced to start from square one, much like he will next year.
“We will see. For me it’s the biggest challenge in my life. But, if I make some special things there, for me it’s amazing. But we’ll see.
“I’m just waiting for 2027, because the Pirelli tyre is also arriving, and the engine is changing, bike is completely changing. Maybe, in 2027, I’m doing more special things there, but we will see.
“I have a goal, but it’s not an easy season. I’m always thinking [about] the bad. I’m not saying now, ‘OK, I finish in the top five and top three.’ I never say this. I’m always looking at reality. My goal if I finish some top five, or if I did some podiums, this is incredible for me.”
READ MORE: Toprak Razgatlioglu admits one thing ‘won’t be easy’ to accept at Pramac Yamaha in 2026
How much has Toprak Razgatlioglu achieved in 2025?
Other than signing a landmark MotoGP contract, Razgatlioglu has also been on hot form on track this season.
At one stage, he won 13 races in a row for BMW, and 15 of 16 before facing a slightly sterner challenge from his rivals toward the back end of the campaign.
With 616 points, he scored the most that he ever has in a World Superbike season, and it’s likely that he might have been able to continue his dominance into next year.
But, Yamaha are preparing a gamble for Razgatlioglu and clearly believe in his talent, despite him being a little older than the average debutant.
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