Axel Bassani believes Torak Razgatlioglu is doing a “great job” after joining MotoGP in 2026, despite the Pramac Yamaha rider scoring just nine points from eight rounds.
Yamaha Finally pulled Razgatlioglu MotoGP has moved away from the World Superbike Championship to make its debut with its satellite crew Pramak At this time. The 29-year-old has agreed to move ahead of the rule change in 2027 as it gives him the chance to start learning MotoGP.
Razgatlioglu was a dominant force in World Superbikes, which Basani saw first-hand from 2021 to 2025. The Turkish ace won 78 of 258 races between 2018 and 2025. 39 of those from 2018 to 2025 came riding WSBK titles in the last two seasons for BMW.
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In Hungary, Iker Lecuona had an impressive performance for Gresini.
Axel Bassani hails Toprak Razgatlioglu as ‘always’ among the best Yamaha riders
A move to MotoGP this year has provided Razgatlioglu nowhere near as much success as he tasted in World Superbikes, where he won the 2021 race with Yamaha. After the first eight rounds of the season, Razgatlioglu’s P11 at the Hungarian GP is his best MotoGP result.
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Razgatlioglu admitted that his inspiration at Balaton Park “failed immediately”.He also only managed a 1:38.074 lap during Q1, expecting to set a mid-1:37, which could have moved him into Q2. But Bassani believes that despite his lack of experience on the YZR-M1, Razgatlioglu is doing “great” in MotoGP, as he is often in the mix to be the best Yamaha rider despite having no experience on the YZR-M1.
Bassani said. GPON“We haven’t spoken for a while, but I still follow him. I’ve always liked him as a rider, and I think he’s doing a great job. Even if the bike isn’t competitive, he can always be the best rider for the brand, or at least among the best.”
Factory Yamaha rider Fabio Quatararo leads the M1 stable so far with 37 points for P15 in the 2026 MotoGP standings. Works rider Alex Rins has 12 points for P19, Pramac ace Jack Miller is in P20 with 11 points, while Razgatlioglu is nine in P22.
The shortcomings of the new-for-2026 V4 Yamaha M1 are holding Razgatlioglu back, and he will suit up to Michelin tires before switching to Pirelli tires at MotoGP next year. Yamaha riders are often sitting ducks because their rivals have more power.
The current leader of the World Superbike Championship Niccolò Bulega thinks Razgatlioglu can’t use his “normal” riding style in MotoGP With Michelin tires. But the Italian expects his former WSBK rival to be more competitive at Pirelli in 2027, should Yamaha improve.
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