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

VALENCIA, Spain – Three-time World Superbike Champion Toprak Razgatlioglu has identified Fabio Quartararo as the rider to beat within Yamaha as he prepares for his rookie MotoGP season in 2026. The ambitious goal was revealed by Razgatlioglu’s manager, Kenan Sofuoglu, following the Turkish rider’s first official outing on the Yamaha M1 at the Valencia test.

Razgatlioglu’s highly anticipated move to MotoGP will see him join Jack Miller at Pramac Racing, both riding factory-spec Yamaha machines. The transition marks a significant step in Razgatlioglu’s career, following his dominant performance in the World Superbike Championship, culminating in his 2025 title win with BMW.

The Valencia test, held at Circuit Ricardo Tormo last week, provided the first glimpse of Razgatlioglu on the Yamaha M1. He completed 53 laps, setting a best time of 1m30.667s. This placed him 18th on the timesheets, 1.2 seconds behind Raul Fernandez on the Trackhouse Aprilia, who set the pace. While Razgatlioglu’s time was slower than Quartararo’s benchmark of 1m29.927s, it was faster than his teammate Miller and Alex Rins, the other Yamaha riders.

Razgatlioglu’s contractual obligations prevent him from publicly commenting on his move to Yamaha until January 1, 2026. However, his manager, Kenan Sofuoglu, a former Moto2 rider, has been vocal about the team’s aspirations.

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Sofuoglu expressed high expectations for Razgatlioglu, stating his belief that the Turkish rider can compete at the same level as Quartararo, the 2021 MotoGP World Champion. "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 said 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 was a crucial opportunity for Razgatlioglu to familiarize himself with the Yamaha M1. The team had only one V4-spec M1 available, which required the rider to be extra cautious. During the day, he completed eight runs, with 37 laps considered flying laps out of a total of 53. His runs consisted of consistent lap times, indicating a methodical approach to learning the bike.

This test was only Razgatlioglu’s second outing on a MotoGP bike in 2025, following a short private session at Aragon earlier in the month. The limited track time emphasizes the learning curve Razgatlioglu faces as he transitions to MotoGP.

Sofuoglu acknowledged the time difference between Razgatlioglu and the front runners, stating, "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 further explained that Razgatlioglu’s cautious approach was due to the limited availability of equipment and the need to avoid mistakes. "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 while Razgatlioglu may require some time to adapt to the intricacies of MotoGP machinery and racing, his exceptional talent and unique riding style, particularly his feel for the front end of the bike, will eventually lead to success in the premier class.

One of Razgatlioglu’s defining characteristics in World Superbike is his aggressive braking style. When asked if he believes Razgatlioglu will be able to carry over this braking prowess to MotoGP, Sofuoglu responded confidently: "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."

Razgatlioglu’s move to MotoGP comes at a time when Yamaha is striving to regain its competitive edge. The manufacturer has faced challenges in recent seasons, with Quartararo’s 2021 championship win being a high point amidst a period of rebuilding. The addition of Razgatlioglu, known for his aggressive riding style and ability to extract the maximum from his machinery, is seen as a potential catalyst for Yamaha’s resurgence.

Quartararo, despite his talent and championship pedigree, has expressed concerns about the development of the Yamaha M1. Following the Valencia test, he revealed that there are still areas where the bike needs improvement to compete consistently with the leading manufacturers. The arrival of Razgatlioglu will provide Yamaha with valuable feedback and data, potentially accelerating the development process.

The dynamic between Razgatlioglu and Quartararo will be closely watched throughout the 2026 season. Both riders are highly competitive, and their battle for supremacy within the Yamaha camp could elevate the team’s overall performance.

Razgatlioglu’s teammate, Jack Miller, also faces a critical season in 2026. The Australian rider has shown flashes of brilliance throughout his MotoGP career but has struggled to maintain consistency. The arrival of Razgatlioglu could provide Miller with added motivation and a benchmark to measure his own progress.

The Pramac Racing team, which will field Razgatlioglu and Miller, has a history of nurturing talented riders. The team’s experienced crew and technical expertise will be crucial in helping Razgatlioglu adapt to the demands of MotoGP.

As Razgatlioglu prepares for his MotoGP debut, he faces a steep learning curve. The transition from World Superbike to MotoGP involves adapting to different machinery, tires, and electronic systems. However, his proven track record and unwavering determination suggest that he has the potential to become a major force in MotoGP.

The 2026 MotoGP season promises to be an exciting one, with Razgatlioglu’s arrival adding another layer of intrigue to the championship battle. His quest to challenge Quartararo and establish himself as a top rider in MotoGP will be a central storyline to watch. The combination of Razgatlioglu’s talent, Yamaha’s ambition, and the competitive nature of MotoGP sets the stage for a compelling season of racing.