Marco Bezzecchi
Toprak Razgatlioglu took part in his first official MotoGP test with his future on-track rivals last week, and a behind-the-scenes video from Ducati has revealed the advice that team chief Luigi Dall’Igna gave him during the session.
The three-time World Superbikes world champion was able to weigh up how he compares to his future rivals during the test, and was able to clock quicker times than the other riders within the Yamaha stable, except the often over-achieving Fabio Quartararo.
After sifting through the data from the post-season test in Valencia, Quartararo now expects Razgatlioglu to fare ‘better’ during his rookie campaign in the premier class.
Despite the impressive performance in comparison to his stablemates, the performance of Yamaha’s new V4-powered M1 meant that Razgatlioglu was only able to set the 18th fastest time of the day.
READ MORE: Alex Rins just gave Toprak Razgatlioglu hope that he can challenge Fabio Quartararo in 2026
Luigi Dall’Igna told Toprak Razgatlioglu to ‘stay calm’ and wished him ‘good luck’ ahead of the MotoGP test in Valencia
Razgatlioglu got his first taste of the new M1 at a private test in Aragon, where he was able to get in a decent haul of mileage in order to ready himself for MotoGP’s official post-season test in Valencia.
The Turkish rider went through the expected run plan with no qualms and was given some advice by Ducati’s Luigi Dall’Igna before putting on his overalls to clock in some laps.
In the latest episode of INSIDE Ducati, cameras picked up a conversation between the 29-year-old and Dall’Igna in which the Italian engineer offered some advice to the latest addition to the MotoGP grid.
“You have to stay calm,” Dall’Igna started. “But a rider is a rider, so a rider doesn’t care. They want the results as soon as possible.”
Razgatlioglu then noted how tight the margins were during official sessions in the 2025 premier class campaign, saying, “Everyone is very close.”
Dall’Igna then reassured him that he just needs more experience atop MotoGP machinery, whilst also stating how the tight margins will benefit him next year, saying, “You just need more kilometres on the bike. That’s it.
“Because for sure you can see that the riders are tight, so there are some really good points opportunities. I think that you can do quite well. Anyway, good luck.”
Where will Toprak Razgatlioglu finish in his first MotoGP season?
Toprak Razgatlioglu has to adapt one of his strongest abilities in his move across to MotoGP
Ahead of his proposed move to the world of Grand Prix motorcycle racing, Razgatlioglu was told what he would need to change in his riding style, given the specific characteristics of a MotoGP prototype as opposed to their counterparts in WSBK.
Razgatlioglu slowly realised this during the Valencia test, according to Pramac boss Gino Borsoi, who has no doubts over the 29-year-old’s ability to adapt his braking style ahead of the new season of racing.
The attribute was one of the deciding factors in Razgatlioglu being so successful in the production motorcycle racing series, in which he won 78 races over his eight seasons in the category.
One of the contributors to the necessary change in braking style comes from the fact that the premier class uses tyres supplied by Michelin, whilst WSBK currently use Pirelli.
Jorge Lorenzo has urged Yamaha to aid Razgatlioglu’s understanding of the different compound of rubber for his maiden season, before the sport switches to Pirelli in 2027.
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