Marco Bezzecchi
Toprak Razgatlioglu has joined Yamaha at the MotoGP season finale in Valencia. The 2026 Pramac signing is preparing for his first official test on Tuesday.
After Razgatlioglu sealed his third World Superbikes title last month, he was free to focus on his impending MotoGP move. He tested for Yamaha at Aragon last week.
It’s not the first time he’s represented the Japanese manufacturer. He raced for Yamaha’s WSBK team between 2020 and 2023, winning the title in 2021.
Razgatlioglu’s first stint at Yamaha included a somewhat underwhelming test at Jerez, but when their former Superbike chief Paolo Pavesio replaced Lin Jarvis, he was determined to give the Turkish superstar another chance.
Toprak Razgatlioglu has ‘matured significantly’ since Yamaha WSBK days
Razgatlioglu was dissatisfied with Yamaha’s efforts to prepare him for MotoGP, which contributed to his decision to join BMW. But Pavesio and co. were able to repair the relationship.
In an interview with Speedweek, the Italian explained that Razgatlioglu is now a much better communicator, something that he demonstrated after his outing at Aragon.
The 29-year-old spent half an hour giving detailed feedback, even though he was surprised by the scale of the operation.
“He has matured significantly in his working methods since then,” Pavesio said when asked about his last stint working with Razgatlioglu. “He communicates with the crew more confidently and gives immediate feedback.
“It was also interesting to see his expression when it came to the final briefing and many more people were listening to him than is usually the case with the Superbikes.
“He asked me if they were all there because of him. Those were 30 minutes in which everyone listened intently as he explained every aspect.”
What Paolo Pavesio ‘immediately’ saw in Toprak Razgatlioglu’s test
Razgatlioglu left Yamaha colleagues pleasantly ‘surprised’ in his first MotoGP run for over two years. They’re planning to stay in Valencia for an additional day, utilising their concessions.
Former WSBK rival Nicolo Bulega has told Razgatlioglu he’ll have to change his riding style on a Grand Prix bike. Bulega has been deputising for Marc Marquez at Ducati.
But Pavesio applauded his new satellite rider for ‘immediately’ adapting to MotoGP’s rider aids. Yamaha are trying to manage expectations for his rookie season and expect him to come into his own on familiar Pirelli tyres in 2027.
- READ MORE: How Toprak Razgatlioglu’s Yamaha test times compared to Fabio Quartararo’s Aragon Grand Prix pace
“It was just a shakedown, but we could immediately see progress, and he was able to adapt to the rider aids,” said Pavesio. “2026 is a learning year in which he will grow along with the bike – in 2027, we will then set certain goals.
“He never rode in direct competition with the others, but his lap times were close.”
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