Toprak Razgatlioglu names the Yamaha rider who has been ‘essential’ to his MotoGP preparations

Add as preferred source on Google

Toprak Razgatlioglu is now weeks away from his very first MotoGP race, and he has found one member of the Yamaha setup to be ‘essential’ to his preparations.

The three-time World Superbikes champion is swapping the production motorcycle racing paddock for the Grand Prix one, and his maiden season in the premier class is one of the most highly anticipated rookie campaigns in recent years.

Razgatlioglu is expected to struggle atop brand-new Yamaha machinery, with the Turkish star keeping one eye on the following season in 2027, where new regulations will be in play, and everyone resets from zero.

Pramac teammate Jack Miller has already said that Razgatlioglu doesn’t need any mentoring, but the 29-year-old has found an ally in another member of the Yamaha stable.

• READ MORE: Alvaro Bautista tells Toprak Razgatlioglu ‘nobody cares’ if he starts complaining about MotoGP bike

Toprak Razgatlioglu says Andrea Dovizioso has been ‘essential’ to his MotoGP preparations

During an interview with GPOne at Pramac’s 2026 MotoGP launch event, Razgatlioglu touched upon how Andrea Dovizioso has been helping him prepare for his maiden voyage in the world of Grand Prix motorcycle racing.

Razgatlioglu initially explained why he is changing his rider number from #54 to #7 as he enters the Grand Prix paddock, sharing, “For me, it’s a new chapter, yet to be written.

“If I manage to do well, it would be something great. That’s also why I chose a number different from fifty-four. I talked about it with Dovizioso.

“He raced with the four, and I asked him if it would be a good idea to use the seven, an unusual number that I like.

“He told me to ask Dorna, propose it, and here I am. It was great intuition. I hadn’t thought about it, but he saw the bigger picture.”

The Turkish star was then asked what his relationship with the Yamaha test rider is like, to which he replied, “I really like him, both as a rider and as a person.

“Maybe he doesn’t smile often and doesn’t show his emotions, but he has a wealth of experience. For me, it’s essential to listen to him and learn from him.”

Dovizioso previously warned Razgatlioglu about the adaptation period that he will need to go through before he starts recording strong results on a MotoGP prototype.

At 29 years old, the Turkish rider already has a riding style that has proved to be successful, so it will be a shock to his system when he realises just how much he needs to change it up to suit MotoGP machinery.

• READ MORE: Toprak Razgatlioglu says Marc Marquez doesn’t act like he’s a ‘superstar’ off the track

Andrea Dovizioso can teach Toprak Razgatlioglu all he needs to know about Marc Marquez

Indeed, to realise his dream of becoming a MotoGP world champion and be the first WSBK convert to do so, Razgatlioglu will first need to get the better of Marc Marquez over the course of a whole season.

That will be no easy feat, but with Dovizioso in his corner, he may be able to find some sort of advantage.

Dovizioso spent the majority of his career fighting against Marquez, with the Spaniard coming out on top more often than not.

Despite the lack of winning experience against the Ant of Cervera, the former Italian rider can certainly be able to point Razgatlioglu in the direction of where Marquez is weak, and where he excels.

The Turkish rider can then plan his wheel-to-wheel accordingly and be able to do what Dovizioso was never able to do: beat Marquez to a world title.