Marco Bezzecchi
Francesco Guidotti has backed Toprak Razgatlioglu to be able to ‘handle’ the switch from Superbikes to MotoGP.
There will be two rookies lining up on the MotoGP grid at the Grand Prix of Thailand next weekend, with Diogo Moreira stepping up from Moto2 and Toprak Razgatlioglu swapping Superbikes for MotoGP.
Razgatlioglu has created a lot of hype ahead of his first year as a MotoGP rider on the Yamaha M1 for Pramac Racing.
Predictions have placed Razgatlioglu anywhere between a top-five MotoGP rider and struggling to finish inside the top 15 throughout the 2026 season.
Who will be MotoGP’s top rookie in the 2026 season?
Toprak Razgatlioglu has a ‘unique riding ability’
Razgatlioglu is heading into his first Grand Prix as a MotoGP rider, and during pre-season testing, Francesco Guidotti discussed Razgatlioglu’s chances in MotoGP with Moto.it.
The former team boss at KTM and Pramac does not believe the Turkish rider will be troubling the top five during his rookie season. However, he does expect him to adapt throughout the year due to his ‘unique riding ability’.
Guidotti said, “I don’t see him in the top five, especially because he’s riding a bike that’s just starting to develop and it’ll take time to get to that level, unless your name is Quartararo, who has a lot of experience on that bike and in that environment. On Yamaha, I see Quartararo more ready to push.”
When asked how he believes Razgatlioglu is doing during testing, he said, “It was a bit like I expected. Going from Superbike to MotoGP is a completely different world, even the riding is completely different.
“As I’ve always said, he’s perhaps the only rider in Superbike who could handle this journey, because he has a unique riding ability and has shown he can adapt from one bike to another very quickly.
“We’re waiting for the races, where he has a bit more time to learn. But it will be difficult to get into the top five at the end of the season.”
Will Fabio Quartararo see out the 2026 season with Yamaha?
Yamaha disappointing on Day 1 of the Buriram test
The MotoGP machines have been back on track for the final pre-season test ahead of the opening round of the 2026 season.
As Ducati continue to dominate testing with Alex Marquez and Marc Marquez at the Buriram International Circuit, Yamaha continue to struggle.
The Japanese manufacturer, who Razgatlioglu is riding for in 2026, had to withdraw from the second day of the Sepang test earlier in the month.
It has not gotten much better for Yamaha since the Sepang test, as no Yamaha rider featured inside the top ten on the opening day in Thailand, with Jack Miller in 17th as the top Yamaha rider, and Razgatlioglu found himself in 21st.
Receive racing news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
