Marco Bezzecchi
Pramac star Toprak Razgatlioglu expects a “difficult” start to his first Dutch Grand Prix after MotoGP arranged the first 2027 Pirelli tyre test for in-between a double-header.
MotoGP held the first official 850cc test using Pirelli tyres at Brno this Monday, following last Sunday’s Czech Grand Prix. It marked the first time that race riders like Razgatlioglu got their hands on their respective team’s bikes and Pirelli’s tyres for next year’s regulations overhaul.
Next season will see a vast overhaul of the regulations, with MotoGP banning all ride height devices, bringing in greater aerodynamic restrictions, reducing engine capacity from 1,000cc to 850cc and switching from Michelin tyres to Pirelli rubber as part of its new exclusive deal.
Razgatlioglu is the only rider on the 2026 MotoGP grid who has past experience with Pirellis, from his years in the World Superbike Championship. But moving to MotoGP with Pramac in 2026 on a factory Yamaha contract has forced him to have to learn Michelin’s tyres this year.
What is your one bold prediction for the 2026 Dutch Grand Prix at Assen?
Is it a surprise winner? A shock podium? Or a horrendous result?
Toprak Razgatlioglu expects a ‘difficult’ start at Assen after testing Pirelli’s 2027 tyres at Brno
Razgatlioglu has frequently struggled with Michelin’s front tyre since his move to MotoGP, as the rubber often does not allow the 29-year-old to attack the braking zones how he wants. It was always seen as the biggest hurdle that he would face by moving to MotoGP this season.
READ MORE: 2027 MotoGP regulations explained, from 850cc engines to aero restrictions
So, by now having to go from using Michelin’s tyres in the Czech GP to testing Pirelli’s rubber at Brno and then back to Michelin’s tyres at Assen for this weekend’s Dutch GP, Razgatlioglu expects a “difficult” time because of how MotoGP arranged the first official 850cc bike test.
Razgatlioglu said ahead of the 850cc test at Brno, via quotes by Motosan: “The big problem is that tomorrow I’ll be riding all day on Pirellis, and then we’ll go to Assen and switch back to Michelins. It will be difficult.”
While Monday’s test at Brno was a behind-closed-doors affair, due to Michelin still being the sole official tyre provider to MotoGP through 2026, Aprilia rider Marco Bezzecchi is believed to have set the fastest lap in the 850cc test. The Italian’s best lap time is said to be a 1:53.9.
Toprak Razgatlioglu feels Alex Rins hurt his chances in the Czech Grand Prix
Razgatlioglu will now head into this weekend’s Dutch Grand Prix at Assen having to re-adapt to Michelin’s tyres at a circuit where he has a lot of knowledge of how Pirelli’s rubber acts. It is even a track that yielded some success in Superbikes for the three-time WSBK champion.
BMW saw Razgatlioglu score the win in World Superbike’s Superpole Race last year, adding to his Race 2 win in 2024. The Alanya native also took a total of 10 WSBK podiums at Assen from 19 races. But Razgatlioglu will not head to Assen with a lot of momentum in MotoGP.
While Pramac saw Razgatlioglu secure his fourth points-paying finish as a MotoGP rider at Brno with P14 in last Sunday’s Czech Grand Prix, he believes more may have been possible had works Yamaha rider Alex Rins not halted his charge during the early phase of the race.
Razgatlioglu added: “He got a good start, and then I tried to overtake him. He passed me on the last corner before the chicane and I wondered why, given it was the start of the race and I was trying to catch the others.
“I had better pace than him, as he was only strong in some corners. I lost two or three seconds trying to pass him. If I hadn’t lost time there, maybe I could have fought with [VR46’s Franco] Morbidelli and finished 12th or 13th.”
Receive racing news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
