Toprak Razgatlioglu shares whether MotoGP will be ‘tougher’ than World Superbikes as Pramac move looms

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Toprak Razgatlioglu is edging closer to his MotoGP debut in 2026 as he moves from World Superbikes to Pramac Yamaha.

The Turkish rider became a top target on the MotoGP rider market in 2025, with Yamaha and Honda chasing his signature. In the end, it was the former who won the race, with Razgatlioglu signing with Pramac.

The 29-year-old comes to the premier class off the back of winning his third WSBK title and second with BMW in 2025. Razgatlioglu beat Ducati’s Nicolo Bulega to the championship at the final round at Jerez, having won 21 out of 36 races, including 13 on the bounce.

Now, he will embark on a new adventure in MotoGP in 2026, with there being high expectations for his arrival. Many are wondering if Razgatlioglu can challenge at the front immediately, but he is being realistic about his debut season.

Toprak Razgatlioglu says MotoGP is a ‘tougher’ championship than WSBK ahead of Pramac switch

Speaking via Tivibu Spor, the Turkish rider admitted that MotoGP will be ‘tougher’ than WSBK and that he will be in for a difficult first year. However, he remains optimistic that things could come together with Pramac in 2026.

“So what I’m saying is this,” he said. “You know, we’re the first Turkish pilots now in MotoGP. Well, I wanted something like this to happen in 2022, to be honest, but it didn’t seem like the right time.

“And well, in 2025, I signed that contract, well, I found the privilege to do so, I can say. Because we want to take things step by step. MotoGP might be the right time now.

“Well, and we’re going to MotoGP. Hopefully everything [will] go as we wish. Because MotoGP is a tougher championship. Everything is completely different. The one I’m using now is much more different. Well, I’ll have an adjustment period for that.

“Of course, everyone has high expectations for the first year, because of the successes we’ve achieved here. But, well, I can say that much tougher times await us. Well, maybe not everything will go as we wish.

“Maybe I’m currently thinking about the worst-case scenarios. Maybe it will be much better we don’t know, but hopefully things will get better in the future once we get used to the motorbike and the place I think it will be better. Let’s see, we’ll find out together.”

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

Toprak Razgatlioglu will have to get used to several changes in MotoGP in 2026

In 2026, it will be practically all change for Razgatlioglu as he gets used to a new type of motorcycle. That will be especially the case for him, as Yamaha will introduce the V4 bike next season.

With WSBK tyre supplier Pirelli not coming to MotoGP until 2027, he will have to get accustomed to Michelin rubber. Furthermore, Razgatlioglu will not have Phil Marron as his crew chief after not being able to bring him across from BMW.

Razgatlioglu will also not have the No. 54 plate, which is taken by Gresini rider Fermin Aldeguer. The 29-year-old says he has another number in mind that he will use in 2026.

Paolo Pavesio is targeting fifth to 10th-place finishes for Razgatlioglu next season. That may be a realistic target, but as the Turkish rider himself said, much tougher times could be ahead, as Yamaha sit bottom in MotoGP in 2025.