Former MotoGP rider Bradley Smith believes Toprak Razgatlioglu will be successful as a MotoGP rider.
Before the 2026 season, that was well documented Toprak Razgatlioglu He was going from World Superbikes to MotoGP.
After winning three titles on a Superbike Yamaha And BMW, the Turkish rider to MotoGP from Pramac Racing Team on the Yamaha M1.
However, it was a disappointing start to life in MotoGP for Razgatlioglu as the Turkish rider struggled throughout pre-season testing. But he is believed to be a successful MotoGP rider in time.
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Bradley Smith believes that Toprak Razgatlioglu understands ‘no doubt
on the Racing Back PodcastFormer MotoGP rider and BMW tester Bradley Smith discusses Razgatlioglu’s move to MotoGP.
The British rider worked with Razgatlioglu during their time at BMW and believes Razgatlioglu will ‘help’ him in MotoGP.
However, he admits he can only ‘pull it off’ if Yamaha are willing to give him what he wants, just as BMW joins them in World Superbikes in 2024.
Smith said, “I’ve been very fortunate to work with a rider like Toprak, who, in his riding style, has overcome a lot of challenges, he doesn’t need a perfect bike.
“He is very consistent, and this is where BMW did a great job, they gave him what he needed and what he wanted. Pirelli also allowed him to do this, because Pirelli allows you to slow down a lot in the 50 meters before the top. From what I understand, this is still a very difficult thing to do with the Michelins, because of the nature of the tires.
“I don’t doubt that he will help, but he needs the tools to do it. I don’t believe that anyone is a magician, he is working with a new commander of the group, who will gradually understand him and understand what he wants.
When you give him what he wants, Toprak starts doing things. But for now, he’s just like the rest of us, searching for that golden sensation.
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Torak Razgatlioglu crashes after impressive Thai sprint start
In his first MotoGP Sprint Race, Razgatlioglu failed to cross the finish line. But he didn’t embarrass himself with the laps he completed.
The Turkish rider found himself battling in fifteenth and as the second Yamaha rider behind team-mate Jack Miller only in the early stages of the Sprint Race.
Razgatlioglu moved up the order in the opening lap of the race as he made up for the drama around him as he moved from 21st on the grid to 15th.
But with three laps to go, Razgatlioglu crashed in the final corner after encountering engine brake problems in his first race on a MotoGP machine.
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