Toprak Razgatlioglu says he’s ready for a “robust” first 12 months in MotoGP in 2026 as he makes the transition from the World Superbike Championship on the age of 29.
The Turkish rider will make his extremely anticipated debut in MotoGP subsequent 12 months, partnering four-time grand prix winner Jack Miller on the Pramac Yamaha staff.
Razgatlioglu has loved immense success since he stepped as much as the WSBK in 2018 and is on the verge of securing his third title at this weekend’s decider in Jerez.
Nonetheless, MotoGP is anticipated to pose a a lot better problem, each as a result of Yamaha’s present lack of competitiveness and his personal lack of expertise with grand prix equipment.
In truth, many consider Razgatlioglu gained’t be capable to absolutely showcase his potential till 2027, when new laws and the swap to Pirelli tyres are anticipated to reset the enjoying subject.
Razgatlioglu himself is real looking in regards to the activity forward of him, saying he’s prepared to deal with 2026 as a “studying 12 months” as he will get in control in MotoGP.
“This will likely be a troublesome 12 months for me,” he advised Speedweek. “I’ve at all times gained races or completed on the rostrum. It will likely be completely different in MotoGP. Possibly subsequent 12 months I will solely make it into the highest 10, or end twelfth or 14th.
“Coping with that will not be simple. I am ready for my first 12 months to be a studying 12 months. Even when I solely end thirteenth or 14th, I nonetheless should deal with my job.
“Considering like that can hopefully assist me lots. I do not anticipate something within the first 12 months and can attempt to adapt to the bike and luxuriate in it.”
Toprak Razgatlioglu, BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Workforce
Picture by: Gold and Goose Images / LAT Pictures / through Getty Pictures
Razgatlioglu, nevertheless, attracts encouragement from his rapid success with BMW in 2024 following his high-profile transfer from Yamaha. “Once I signed for BMW, I noticed my first 12 months as a coaching 12 months and wished to achieve success within the second – however then we managed to do it instantly within the first 12 months,” he mentioned.
“Possibly it is going to work out the identical in MotoGP. Possibly I will begin like I do in a coaching 12 months and we’ll obtain good placings after 5 – 6 races.”
Yamaha is at present enduring a troublesome spell in MotoGP, with manufacturing unit rider Fabio Quartararo just lately admitting that it hasn’t made any “large steps” since final November’s post-season take a look at in Barcelona.
The Iwata-based model at present sits on the backside of the constructors’ standings, however is hoping to regain some floor subsequent 12 months because it switches to a V4 engine.
Within the meantime, Ducati continues to go from energy to energy in MotoGP, having already sealed all three championships this season.
Razgatlioglu confronted the same scenario in WSBK following his maiden championship in 2021, when Ducati started to dominate Japanese manufacturers comparable to Kawasaki and Yamaha.
“For me, it is fairly easy: Each MotoGP rider who comes into this paddock can have nice problem until they’re on a Ducati,” he mentioned.
Besides after his title-winning years, Razgatlioglu has raced with the #54 plate on WSBK. Nonetheless, this quantity will likely be unavailable to him following Fermin Aldeguer’s debut this 12 months with Gresini Ducati.
Though Razgatlioglu hasn’t confirmed it instantly, it’s doubtless that he’ll swap to #7 he used within the early years of his racing profession.
“Sadly, it is not possible for me to make use of #54,” he conceded. “Fermin has been racing with that quantity since Moto2, he even has it tattooed on his arm.
“Typically cash could make a distinction, however on this case it would not work.
“I’ve one other favourite quantity. Not #1. I like #54, however I had one other quantity that I used within the first races of my sporting profession. I will most likely use that one. In the event you have a look at outdated images, you will see it.”
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