Marco Bezzecchi
Former MotoGP rider Bradley Smith believes Toprak Razgatlioglu will be successful as a MotoGP rider.
Before the 2026 season, it was well documented that Toprak Razgatlioglu was on his way from World Superbikes to MotoGP.
After winning three titles on a Superbike for Yamaha and BMW, the Turkish rider committed to a move to MotoGP with the Pramac Racing squad on a Yamaha M1.
However, it has been a disappointing start to life in MotoGP for Razgatlioglu as the Turkish rider has struggled throughout pre-season testing. But it is believed that he will become a successful MotoGP rider in time.
Podiums, wins, titles? What is Toprak’s CEILING in MotoGP? 🤔
Bradley Smith has ‘no doubt’ Toprak Razgatlioglu will figure it out
On the Racing Back Podcast, the former MotoGP rider and BMW test rider Bradley Smith discussed Razgatlioglu’s move to MotoGP.
The British rider worked closely with Razgatlioglu during their time at BMW together and believes Razgatlioglu will ‘figure it out’ in MotoGP.
However, he did admit that he will only be able to ‘figure it out’ if Yamaha are willing to give him what he needs, like BMW were when he joined them in World Superbikes in 2024.
Smith said, “I was very lucky to work with a rider like Toprak; with his way of riding, he was able to overcome a lot of issues; he doesn’t need a perfect bike.
“He is very adaptable, and that is where BMW did a great job; they gave him what he needed and what he wanted. Also, the Pirelli allowed him to do that, as the Pirelli allows you to slow down a lot in the last 50 metres before the apex. From what I understand, that is still a very difficult thing to do with Michelins, because of the nature of the tyres.
“I have no doubt that he will figure it out, but he needs the tools to be able to do it. I don’t think anyone is a magician. He is working with a new crew chief, who will slowly understand him and understand what he needs.
“When they do give him what he needs, he will start to do Toprak things. But for the time being, he is just like the rest of us, searching for the golden feeling that he wants.”
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Toprak Razgatlioglu crashed after impressive start to Thailand Sprint Race
In his first MotoGP Sprint Race, Razgatlioglu failed to cross the finish line. However, he did not embarrass himself during the laps he completed.
The Turkish rider found himself fighting within the top fifteen, and as the second Yamaha rider, only behind his teammate Jack Miller, in the early stages of the Sprint Race.
Razgatlioglu leapt up the order on the opening lap of the race as he capitalised on drama around him as he made his way into 15th after starting from 21st on the grid.
But with three laps to go, Razgatlioglu hit the deck as he crashed at the final corner after dealing with an engine brake issue in his first competitive appearance on a MotoGP machine.
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