Marco Bezzecchi
Toprak Razgatlioglu says he needed ‘another challenge’ in MotoGP after winning multiple titles in World Superbikes. Razgatlioglu was linked with a move to Grand Prix racing for years before taking the plunge in 2026.
Razgatlioglu left the WSBK championship on the back of winning successive titles with Yamaha. He could have chased down Jonathan Rea’s all-time record of six, but he opted to switch disciplines instead.
The Turkish rider was also second in championship history for wins (78 to Rea’s 120), but he felt his journey in the series was complete.
Toprak Razgatlioglu recalls being bombarded with ‘go to MotoGP’ comments
In an interview with TNT Sports before the United States GP, Razgatlioglu was asked why he chose to join the MotoGP grid in 2026. The timing was particularly surprising, with regulation changes looming for next year.
Pirelli will also replace Michelin as tyre suppliers next year, so that seemed a more natural starting point for Razgatlioglu. He had raced with the Italian rubber in WSBK.
But the 29-year-old says his success in Superbikes is ‘not enough’ for him to feel satisfied with his career. He was also aware of the clamour among fans to see the move come to fruition.
Toprak Razgatlioglu scores his first MotoGP point
Will he score over or under 50 this season?
“The last two years, we won very special titles with BMW,” he said. “After, I was thinking, ‘I need another challenge.’ I’m winning races, this is really good for a rider, but sometimes I know Superbikes is not enough to me.
“And also, everyone sent me the message when I shared pictures, ‘go to MotoGP, go to MotoGP’. I’m [posting a picture of] doing a stoppie and everyone writes, ‘go to MotoGP.’ Anyway, finally I’m here.”
Gino Borsoi says Toprak Razgatlioglu can become ‘one of the best’ in MotoGP
Razgatlioglu scored his first MotoGP point in Austin, finishing ahead of the other three Yamaha riders in 15th.
He has often sounded impatient and frustrated in interviews since the start of testing, which was perhaps to be expected given that he is used to dominating.
But Gino Borsoi says Pramac could tell from the start that Razgatlioglu was going to live up to the hype, even if a ‘long journey’ still awaits.
He told TNT: “From the beginning, we started to understand immediately that he has a big talent, that he could be one of the best riders from our programme for Yamaha for the future.
“He has speed, he has all the tools that a MotoGP rider needs to become one of the best. For sure, it’s a long journey.”
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