Marc Marquez highlights ‘big change’ coming to MotoGP that will help Toprak Razgatlioglu

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Marc Marquez says the biggest rule change coming to MotoGP next year isn’t actually related to the bikes.

The technical regulations are being overhauled for 2027, with the sport moving to 850cc engines and simplified aerodynamics. Ride-height devices will also be banned.

Naturally, struggling Japanese manufacturers Honda and Yamaha are viewing this as their big opportunity to close the gap to their European rivals and start fighting for victories again.

Marc Marquez: Mastering Pirelli tyres will be ‘the key’ to success in MotoGP next year

But for Marquez, the change from Michelin tyres to Pirelli outweighs the mechanical alterations.

He thinks the pecking order of riders will be determined by how well the Pirellis suit their riding style.

“I think the big change, what will make bikes and/or riders competitive and winning next season, will be the performance of the Pirelli tyres, how each brand adapts to the new tyres, and above all, how they suit each of our riding styles, because we all ride very differently,” Marquez told Spanish broadcaster DAZN, via El Periodico.

“So, for me, the key will be the Pirelli tyres, not the new bikes.”

This is naturally good news for Toprak Razgatlioglu, who has predictably struggled to adapt to the Michelins after dominating World Superbikes on Pirelli compounds.

It should also play into the hands of recent Moto2 graduates like Diogo Moreira, Ai Ogura and new Gresini signing Daniel Holgado.

Having shared the track with the Turkish rider in the behind-closed-doors Brno test, Augusto Fernandez says Razgatlioglu seemed much more comfortable on the Pirelli tyres.

Pramac boss Gino Borsoi adds that Razgatlioglu is back in ‘the world he knows’ with a more familiar riding style. He has spoken extensively this year about the enforced modifications to his approach.

Razgatlioglu has said he hopes to battle Marquez next year in what would be a meeting of two motorcycle greats. History suggests the Spaniard is likely to be a front-runner if his Ducati bike is even semi-competitive, but Yamaha are more of an unknown quantity.