Marco Bezzecchi
Pramac racer Toprak Razgatlioglu is believed to have really liked the new chassis that Yamaha allowed him to try in the Barcelona test, but not all of their upgrades paid off.
Monday marked the final chance for all of the MotoGP outfits to come together to test their 1,000cc bikes during the 2026 season. The next official in-season tests at Brno on June 22 and the Red Bull Ring on September 21 will both be Pirelli tyre tests ahead of the 850cc era.
A depleted field took part in Monday’s Barcelona test, which saw KTM star Pedro Acosta set the fastest time with a 1:38.767. Works Yamaha star Fabio Quartararo finished the day in P2 with a 1:38.831, while Pramac pilots Jack Miller finished P16 and Razgatlioglu ranked in P19.
After Alex Marquez’s crash during the Catalan GP and Johann Zarco’s crash in Barcelona last Sunday, the Gresini and LCR riders both sat out the test. VR46’s Catalan GP winner Fabio Di Giannantonio also sat out due to his injury from being hit by debris from Marquez’s GP26.
If Toprak Razgatlioglu wins a MotoGP title, where he would rank among the motorcycle racing greats?
He already has three World Superbike crowns
Toprak Razgatlioglu really liked Yamaha’s new chassis upgrade at the Barcelona test
Pramac pilots Miller, who penned a fastest lap time of 1:39.943, and Razgatlioglu, who set a 1:40.052, worked closely with Yamaha to develop the YZR-M1 during Monday’s test. Miller prioritised their new aerodynamic package, while Razgatlioglu worked on their new chassis.
READ MORE: Everything to know about Toprak Razgatlioglu from net worth to nickname
According to MOW, Yamaha also tested the most upgrades by any of the teams in Barcelona, and Razgatlioglu is believed to have ‘really liked’ their new chassis for the M1. Razgatlioglu is also likely to now race with Yamaha’s updated chassis next time out at the Italian Grand Prix.
But while Razgatlioglu will try Yamaha’s chassis upgrade at Mugello on May 29-31, the Iwata crew still have more work to do to develop their new aero package. Yamaha’s riders ‘did not particularly like’ their front aero, which saw their three-tier design almost become four tiers.
What has Toprak Razgatlioglu said about the Yamaha M1 after the Barcelona test?
A midday rain shower largely brought the test in Barcelona to an early end, as teams packed up their equipment sooner than planned. Yet Razgatlioglu felt the Barcelona test had been a positive day “overall”, as he had worked alone on improving his pace with the medium tyres.
Three-time World Superbike champion Razgatlioglu also felt Monday’s test in Barcelona was a positive step in the right direction, as he found a nicer feeling for how the Yamaha M1 acts on corner entry. Razgatlioglu also completed the most laps by any rider, with his total of 45.
“Overall, I think the test was positive for us,” he said. “We improved a lot with the medium tyre, and I was able to be much more consistent while also setting some good lap times.
“The most important thing is that today I was working mostly alone, without following other riders, and still managed to improve, especially in turning and rear grip.
“We made another step with the bike on corner entry and, in several areas, I felt much more comfortable compared to the race weekend.
“When the bike turns better, I can also accelerate earlier and more naturally. So, that is helping me understand the MotoGP bike better and better. Overall, I feel much better than during the race weekend and we definitely made progress today.”
Razgatlioglu had arguably his worst weekend as a MotoGP rider to date at the Catalan GP, as the Turkish ace struggled to adapt to the low grip on offer in Montmelo on Michelin tyres that he is still learning. Razgatlioglu qualified in last place for the Catalan GP, and he finished the eventual 12-lap race 27.808 seconds off the lead in P16 among the 17 classified finishers.
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