Toprak Razgatlioglu Sets Sights on Yamaha Leadership, Targeting Quartararo in MotoGP Debut

VALENCIA, Spain – Toprak Razgatlioglu, the newly crowned three-time World Superbike champion, has ambitious goals for his inaugural MotoGP season in 2026. According to his manager, Kenan Sofuoglu, Razgatlioglu aims to quickly establish himself as the leading Yamaha rider, with a particular focus on challenging Fabio Quartararo, the 2021 MotoGP World Champion.

Razgatlioglu’s move to MotoGP has been long anticipated, and he will join the Pramac Racing team alongside Jack Miller, both riding factory-spec Yamaha M1 machines. His first official appearance as a Yamaha rider came at the Valencia test last week, held shortly after securing his 2025 WSBK title with BMW.

During the Valencia test at Circuit Ricardo Tormo, Razgatlioglu completed 53 laps, setting a best time of 1m30.667s. This placed him 18th on the timesheets, 1.2 seconds behind Raul Fernandez, who topped the session on the Trackhouse Aprilia. While Razgatlioglu’s time was behind Quartararo’s benchmark of 1m29.927s, he did manage to outpace his teammate, Miller, and fellow Yamaha rider Alex Rins.

Razgatlioglu is currently under contractual obligations that prevent him from speaking publicly about his new role with Yamaha until January 1, 2026. However, his manager, Sofuoglu, who has experience in the grand prix paddock as a former Moto2 rider, is free to discuss the expectations surrounding Razgatlioglu’s debut.

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"Of course, in MotoGP, it’s difficult to say something, but there are still four Yamaha bikes, and we want to be top of the list," Sofuoglu stated during MotoGP’s official broadcast. "It is a hard challenge because Fabio is one of the best riders in the paddock, and if we can battle with him, [that would be a big achievement]. This is our target for the first season."

The Valencia test provided a preliminary glimpse into Razgatlioglu’s adaptation to the MotoGP environment. He had only one V4-spec M1 at his disposal, which likely influenced his approach to the test. He completed eight runs, logging 37 flying laps out of a total of 53. His initial runs saw lap times consistently in the mid-1m30s range, with improvements evident in later outings, including laps within the 1m31.4s and 1m30s brackets.

This test marked only Razgatlioglu’s second experience on a MotoGP bike, following a brief private session at Aragon earlier in the month.

Sofuoglu acknowledged the gap in lap times, noting, "When you look at lap time, he’s around 1.5 seconds slow. But when I watch him, I’m not watching ‘our’ Toprak. He is a bit scared because there are not many bikes [available to him]. At the moment, there is just one V4 for Toprak."

He added, "He is careful at the moment, he’s very scared at the moment to make mistakes. But still, he’s there. Probably after a couple of tests, we will see the real Toprak, stopping on the brakes, sliding, and pushing harder. At the moment, without pushing, I can see how he rides the bike; he’s doing great. There is a lot to go; I’m very positive about what he’s doing at the moment."

The general consensus within the MotoGP paddock is that Razgatlioglu’s transition will require time, but his exceptional talent and feel for the front end of the bike will ultimately lead to success.

A key aspect of Razgatlioglu’s riding style is his aggressive braking technique, a hallmark of his WSBK success. When asked if he could replicate this in MotoGP, Sofuoglu responded, "A lot of people think in MotoGP he can’t, but everybody will see he will do the same things [as in WSBK]. Before he came to Superbike, nobody was riding like him. For sure, he will surprise everybody with what he can do on the bike because he’s always surprising us. Now, people will see in the MotoGP paddock that he will surprise a lot of people because he has this skill, and he understands very much."

Background on Toprak Razgatlioglu:

Toprak Razgatlioglu, born in Alanya, Turkey, has established himself as one of the most exciting talents in motorcycle racing. His aggressive and spectacular riding style has earned him a dedicated fanbase. Before his move to MotoGP, Razgatlioglu enjoyed a highly successful career in the World Superbike Championship (WSBK).

• WSBK Career: Razgatlioglu’s WSBK career began in 2018, riding for the Kawasaki Puccetti Racing team. He quickly made an impact, securing his first podium finish in his debut season. In 2021, he achieved his greatest success, winning the WSBK World Championship with Yamaha, ending Jonathan Rea’s six-year reign.

• Riding Style: Razgatlioglu is known for his late-braking maneuvers and ability to control the bike in challenging situations. His unique style has often been compared to that of a Moto GP rider.

• 2025 Season: Razgatlioglu made a controversial move to BMW in 2025, with many believing the German machine was not up to the task of winning a World Championship. He managed to defy critics by winning the title with the team, his third World Superbike Championship.

Background on Fabio Quartararo:

Fabio Quartararo, from Nice, France, has been a prominent figure in MotoGP since his debut in 2019. He quickly rose through the ranks, showcasing his natural talent and ability to adapt to the premier class.

• MotoGP Career: Quartararo joined the Petronas Yamaha SRT team in 2019, immediately impressing with his speed and consistency. He secured seven pole positions and six podium finishes in his rookie season. In 2021, he won the MotoGP World Championship with the Monster Energy Yamaha team, becoming the first French rider to achieve this feat.

• 2021 Championship: Quartararo’s 2021 championship victory was marked by consistency and maturity. He secured five race wins and ten podiums, demonstrating his ability to perform under pressure.

• Recent Performances: Quartararo has faced challenges in recent seasons due to Yamaha’s struggles with bike development. Despite these difficulties, he remains a highly competitive rider, consistently fighting for top positions.

Yamaha’s MotoGP Performance:

Yamaha has a rich history in MotoGP, with numerous championship titles and race wins. However, the factory team has faced challenges in recent years, struggling to match the performance of rivals such as Ducati and Aprilia.

• Team Structure: The Yamaha MotoGP team consists of the factory Monster Energy Yamaha team and the satellite Pramac Racing team. Pramac Racing, while a satellite team, receives factory-spec Yamaha M1 bikes, allowing its riders to compete at the highest level.

• Bike Development: Yamaha has been working to improve the performance of its M1 bike, focusing on areas such as engine power, aerodynamics, and electronics. The team has introduced new upgrades throughout the 2025 season, aiming to close the gap to its competitors.

• Rider Lineup: The Yamaha rider lineup for 2026 includes Fabio Quartararo and Alex Rins for the Monster Energy Yamaha team, and Toprak Razgatlioglu and Jack Miller for the Pramac Racing team. This combination of experienced riders and emerging talent is expected to strengthen Yamaha’s competitiveness in the coming seasons.

Looking Ahead:

Toprak Razgatlioglu’s move to MotoGP has generated significant excitement within the racing community. His talent, combined with the support of the Yamaha factory, positions him as a potential contender for top honors in the premier class. His immediate goal of challenging Fabio Quartararo for Yamaha leadership is ambitious but reflects his confidence and determination.

The 2026 MotoGP season promises to be a highly competitive one, with numerous riders and teams vying for the championship title. Razgatlioglu’s performance will be closely watched as he embarks on this new chapter in his racing career.

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