Marco Bezzecchi
Toprak Razgatlioglu is preparing for his very first season of Grand Prix motorcycle racing next year and has disclosed how his new teammate, Jack Miller, has already addressed one concern he had over the switch from World Superbikes.
The three-time world champion in MotoGP’s silhouette series counterpart will begin his journey in the premier class atop Yamaha machinery, as part of Pramac Racing.
Toprak Razgatlioglu replaced Miguel Oliveira at the Italian satellite team, and in turn, the Portuguese is moving to the Turkish rider’s former BMW team in WSBK.
There’s a lot that the 29-year-old will have to learn before his debut in the premier class, and Razgatlioglu has been told to take his time getting used to the new calibre of machinery he will be racing atop in order for him to get off to the best possible start.
Can Toprak Razgatlioglu replicate his World Superbike success in MotoGP?
Toprak Razgatlioglu shares how Jack Miller is helping him settle in at Pramac Yamaha
One of the main concerns that the 2026 rookie had ahead of his official move to the Grand Prix paddock was the friendships that Razgatlioglu would be leaving behind in the WSBK paddock.
Having spent eight successful years in the production motorcycle racing category, the Turkish rider had developed some close relationships with paddock regulars.
During an interview celebrating his third championship feat in World Superbikes, he said he was ‘a little bit sad’ to leave it all behind.
In a recent interview with Speedweek, Razgatlioglu was asked several questions regarding his first laps atop Yamaha’s new V4-powered M1 at MotoGP’s post-season test in Valencia.
He fielded a question regarding how well he has settled in at the team, to which he replied, “The atmosphere in the garage is very good. The team has shown me a lot of warmth.
“And Jack [Miller] is also great, because he’s a completely normal guy in this very different paddock. Working with him is already making friends, and that’s a very important factor for me.”
- READ MORE: Toprak Razgatlioglu once replicated one of Valentino Rossi’s most iconic MotoGP overtakes
Where will Toprak Razgatlioglu finish in his first MotoGP season?
MotoGP fans don’t think Toprak Razgatlioglu can challenge for the title next season
In a poll run by MotoGP News, fans were asked whether they think the 29-year-old can challenge Marc Marquez for the premier class crown during his debut year in the category next season.
Over two-thirds of fans doubted Razgatlioglu’s chances against the 2025 title-winner, which is no surprise considering the number of factors going against the former WSBK man.
As alluded to earlier, there is a swathe of differences that Razgatlioglu will have to get a wrangle on before he starts recording good results in MotoGP.
His braking style will need to be refined for prototype machinery, and 2026 will mark the first time in his career that he has raced on Michelin-manufactured tyres.
As well as that, the performance of Yamaha’s M1 currently leaves a lot to be desired. The Japanese constructor are in the midst of developing a brand new bike for the upcoming campaign, and teething issues are expected.
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