Marco Bezzecchi
Toprak Razgatlioglu began his MotoGP career at MotorLand Aragon this Monday with a private test riding the V4 Yamaha M1, ahead of making his debut with Pramac in 2026.
The 29-year-old enjoyed 33 laps around the home of the Aragon Grand Prix, as Yamaha held a shakedown for their V4-engined bike that their race riders will run in the Valencia test next Tuesday. Razgatlioglu will also join the MotoGP grid for the first time at the post-season test.
Razgatlioglu is preparing to finally enter the prototype series in the 2026 MotoGP season as a factory Yamaha rider for satellite team, Pramac. He signed a two-year deal with Yamaha in June to leave the World Superbike Championship, in which he won his third title this season.
Yamaha could only allow Razgatlioglu two sets of tyres during his test at Aragon on Monday, due to MotoGP’s concession rules, when track conditions were also only around 14 degrees. Razgatlioglu’s fastest lap during his test at Aragon was a 1:49.176, leaving some time to find.
Toprak Razgatlioglu tells Yamaha to ‘improve’ the front end of their V4 bike after his Aragon test
The test was largely to allow Razgatlioglu a chance to start to learn the V4 Yamaha M1 that he will race for Pramac next year. Moving from WSBK presents a huge learning curve, with Razgatlioglu having to adapt his braking style to suit a MotoGP bike and the Michelin tyres.
READ MORE: Everything to know about Toprak Razgatlioglu from net worth to nickname
Yet despite the limited track time, Razgatlioglu immediately identified the front end as one aspect about the V4 Yamaha that the Japanese brand must improve. While the Turkish star knows he must improve on the brakes, Yamaha have work to do as they ditch an inline four.
Razgatlioglu told MotoEtkinlik: “Right now, the brakes are the area where I’ll have the most trouble. Because with this front tyre, the V4’s structure is also a bit different. So, Yamaha are trying to improve it, as well.
“The difference with other inline fours is a big difference, because the front end of the inline four grips better. The front tyre has a little less grip but, of course, this is something that Yamaha can improve on.”
Toprak Razgatlioglu may have to ‘crash a few times’ to learn the limits of Yamaha’s MotoGP bike
Razgatlioglu faces an unusual challenge when he debuts for Pramac in 2026, as the three-time WSBK champion has to adapt to a 1,000cc MotoGP bike with Michelin tyres in the final year of the current regulations. Pirelli will also replace Michelin for the 850cc era from 2027.
Next term will all be about Razgatlioglu learning how Pramac work, the strengths and flaws of the V4 Yamaha M1 and some of the circuits on the MotoGP calendar that he did not race at in WSBK. His biggest hurdle will be the switch from a production bike to a prototype bike.
So, Razgatlioglu admits that he may need to “crash a few times” to truly discover the limits of the front end of the V4 Yamaha M1. The Alanya native seldom crashed through his 2025 World Superbikes title-winning campaign, with 21 wins and 31 podiums from the 36 races.
Razgatlioglu added: “After Superbike, MotoGP has a completely different feel. The slightest slip makes you feel more. But the start is always difficult. After that, I got used to it a bit.
“Of course, I still have a long way to go because I don’t know the limits of the front tyre yet. Maybe it’s necessary to crash a few times.”
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