Jorge Lorenzo tells Yamaha where they must ‘help’ Toprak Razgatlioglu ahead of rookie MotoGP season

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Jorge Lorenzo is very excited to see Toprak Razgatlioglu debut in MotoGP with Pramac in 2026, but he thinks Yamaha will have to “help” him after years in World Superbikes.

The 29-year-old has finally agreed to quit the production bike series for the premier class of prototype racing from the 2026 MotoGP season. Razgatlioglu will race for Pramac on a two-year factory Yamaha contract, which also makes him the brand’s only rider tied up for 2027.

Razgatlioglu agreed to sign his works Yamaha contract back in July and he has now replaced Miguel Oliveira at Pramac for the 2025 post-season Valencia test. The Turkish star arrives as a three-time World Superbike champion, having retained the WSBK title with BMW in 2025.

While the post-season test saw little action for much of the day, Razgatlioglu rode Yamaha’s V4 MotoGP bike at Aragon before travelling to Valencia. It was his first time riding their V4-engined YZR-M1 and his first time on any MotoGP bike since he tested for Yamaha in 2023.

Jorge Lorenzo urges Yamaha to ‘help’ Toprak Razgatlioglu learn MotoGP’s Michelin tyres

Razgatlioglu has a lot to learn as a MotoGP rider, despite the Alanya native’s huge successes in World Superbikes. Lorenzo particularly highlights MotoGP’s Michelin tyres as an area that Yamaha have to help Razgatlioglu adapt to, having raced on Pirelli tyres in World Superbikes.

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

Lorenzo told the MotoGP world feed during testing (18/11, 09:52): “There is excitement. It is a very exciting thing. We are all waiting to understand how he will do in the first year.

“Yes, I believe Superbikes has a lower level of riders. It is clear. MotoGP is another level. Toprak can be one of the best Superbike riders in history, as his technique is unbelievable, especially with the front brake.

“But I think with the tyres, Yamaha will help him to demonstrate immediately his level. [The] Yamaha [bike] is very rigid, it’s very strong in cornering speed. For Toprak, what he’s used to on Superbike bikes, maybe 2027 with Pirelli, with one year of experience, will be his year.”

Pirelli will replace Michelin as MotoGP’s sole tyre provider from the 2027 season, when the championship will also introduce new regulations. Pirelli has been the sole tyre supplier for the World Superbike Championship since 2004, so Razgatlioglu could have an edge in 2027.

Jorge Lorenzo thinks Toprak Razgatlioglu could take a podium but will not win as a rookie

Razgatlioglu won 78 of his 258 races in World Superbikes, as well as taking 173 podiums and 24 pole positions, from 2018 to 2025. He scored 21 of those wins from just 36 races in 2025 to retain the riders’ title, which places the Turkish pilot joint-third for all-time titles in WSBK.

After winning the 2021 title with Yamaha and the 2024 title with BMW, Razgatlioglu’s 2025 crown places him behind only Jonathan Rea (6) and Carl Fogarty (4), while Troy Bayliss also secured three WSBK titles. Only Rea (119) also has more WSBK race wins than Razgatlioglu.

Razgatlioglu needed 53 races to win his first WSBK race in Race 1 at the 2019 Magny-Cours round. And Lorenzo expects Razgatlioglu will likewise have to wait until his second season in MotoGP to score a Grand Prix win, but podium results may be possible as a rookie in 2026.

Lorenzo added: “Maybe, he will fight for top-five [finishes], even a podium in some races, but he will not be at the front in the first year. I do not believe so.”