Marco Bezzecchi
Toprak Razgatlioglu will be 29 years old when he makes his MotoGP debut at the Thailand Grand Prix next year. He has previously turned down opportunities to make the switch from World Superbikes.
There were times when it seemed as if Razgatlioglu would never make the move to MotoGP. It threatened to be one of motorcycle racing’s great ‘what if’ scenarios.
But Yamaha persuaded Razgatlioglu to take the plunge with Pramac for 2026. Even though he’s won three world titles in Superbikes, it’s a risky move.
Has Toprak moved to MotoGP too LATE?
On top of the mechanical changes, Razgatlioglu will have to adapt to Michelin tyres in his rookie year before the switch to more familiar Pirellis. One imagines it would be easier for a much younger rider to change their methods and riding style.
Toprak Razgatlioglu says Yamaha satellite option is now ‘completely different’
Razgatlioglu tested Yamaha’s MotoGP bike before his move to BMW, but neither side were satisfied with the results.
Speaking to The Race, the Turkish rider revealed that he had ‘some options’ in the premier class three years ago.
One of these may have been RNF, then Yamaha’s satellite team. They fielded Andrea Dovizioso, Cal Crutchlow and Darryn Binder in 2022, with Fabio Quartararo and Franco Morbidelli at the factory team.
But while he wanted a factory seat back then, he had a ‘completely different’ view when the Pramac opportunity emerged this year. Paolo Campinoti’s team were world champions in 2024 with Jorge Martin.
Toprak Razgatlioglu once replicated Valentino Rossi’s iconic overtake from the 2009 Catalan Grand Prix
“2022, I had some options, but not like this contract,” he said. “This is a satellite team, but now [it’s] completely different. If I had gone that year, for me, it’s not really good.
“I’m happy now. After Yamaha, when I went to BMW, we had very good success.
“Now I’m coming to MotoGP, it’s much better. It’s not easy to say if I’m going too early to MotoGP.
“I’m always coming step by step, not jumping – I’m very happy about this.”
Toprak Razgatlioglu wants to succeed where Miguel Oliveira and Jack Miller failed
Yamaha didn’t have a satellite team at all in 2023 or 2024, which cost them valuable data. Partly in an effort to keep Quartararo happy, they struck a deal with Pramac after their split with Ducati.
Quartararo hasn’t been satisfied with Pramac’s contribution so far, but Razgatlioglu is optimistic that he can push the team forward as he replaces Miguel Oliveira.
Razgatlioglu says points are his target in his first few races, though he is optimistic he can score a podium during year one – something Pramac didn’t manage at all in 2025.
Come 2027, Razgatlioglu aims to challenge Marc Marquez. That’s an extremely ambitious objective, but one that reflects Yamaha’s confidence ahead of the regulation changes.
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