MotoGP fans issue clear verdict on whether Toprak Razgatlioglu can challenge Marc Marquez

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Toprak Razgatlioglu moves from World Superbikes to MotoGP with a clear objective – to become the first rider to win the world championship in both series. To do that, he’ll likely have to beat Marc Marquez.

Razgatlioglu will be 29 for most of his rookie MotoGP season, while Marquez will turn 33 this winter. With the world champion giving little consideration to the idea of retiring right now, he will be the main obstacle in the short to medium term.

The 2027 regulation changes could see Ducati unseated from their throne – Razgatlioglu will hope to be a Yamaha factory rider by then – but Marquez has shown in the past that he doesn’t need the best bike to win.

Razgatlioglu won’t say whether he can beat Marquez until he’s completed a season in Grand Prix racing. But MotoGP News has surveyed over 600 fans and received a clear verdict.

Nearly two-thirds of MotoGP fans doubt Toprak Razgatlioglu’s chances against Marc Marquez

Asked if Razgatlioglu could challenge Marquez, 36.7% of respondents said ‘yes’, and 63.3% said ‘no’. The Turkish superstar has been devastating in WSBK but will face the best riders on the planet in MotoGP.

Razgatlioglu’s first benchmark will be Jack Miller, one of the most experienced riders on the grid. Given Miller’s inconsistent performances this year, Yamaha will surely expect their new signing to have the edge in the Pramac battle.

In his first season, he will have to adapt to Michelin tyres. Luigi Dall’Igna has questioned Yamaha’s Razgatlioglu’s decision given that, had he joined in 2027, he could have stayed on more familiar Pirelli rubber.

But the Japanese manufacturer felt that a year of adaptation would put him in the best possible place to capitalise. Fabio Quartararo has blitzed the rest of Yamaha’s riders this season, and Razgatlioglu must try to bridge that gap before he can target Marquez.

Who was the last World Superbikes champion to move to MotoGP?

Razgatlioglu has subverted the usual career path. Most of the World Superbikes champions before him, like Alvaro Bautista, Max Biaggi and Carlos Checa, were former MotoGP riders.

The last champion to move in his direction was Ben Spies, who migrated after winning the 2009 title. He would only win one premier-class race – the 2011 Dutch TT – but did finish in the world championship top six twice with Yamaha.

Even after battling Nicolo Bulega for the title all the way until the final round this year, Razgatlioglu admits MotoGP is ‘tougher’ than World Superbikes.

Razgatlioglu, who’s replacing Miguel Oliveira, will feature in the post-season test at Valencia next month. This will offer the first public indication of his competitiveness, though the winter action will be more instructive.