Toprak Razgatlioglu’s entry into the MotoGP fold has brought a whole new demographic of fans to the sport, but one Yamaha boss says the move wasn’t just for that reason.
Three-time World Superbike Champion, Toprak RazgatliogluHe will make his debut with the prototype machine in a few months and expect a wave of Turkish fans to be in his corner.
Razgatlioglu is expected to redefine ‘modern riding’ In the premier class during the main season, and is projected to be a top contender for the title following the end of the sport’s current technical period in 2026.
He cemented himself as one of the all-time greats in silhouette machinery in WSBK, and his recent championship run in the category was just a cherry on top.
Razgatlioglu will partner with Jack Miller at Pramac. In the upcoming campaign, it is reported that the two riders already have a good relationship with each other.
The only thing that remains to be seen is whether the 29-year-old’s impressive results in WSBK can translate into something similar in MotoGP on prototype machinery.
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Can Toprak Razgatlioglu repeat World Superbike success in MotoGP?
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Paolo Pavesio insists that Torak Razgatlioglu is not just a ‘marketing operation’ for Yamaha.
In a recent interview Moto.it, Yamaha Director Paolo Pavesio MotoGP’s new star was asked to comment on how well he would fare in the Grand Prix motorcycle category.
Razgatlioglu’s introduction to the premier class grid marks the first time a Turkish rider will compete in the category, opening up the sport to new fans looking to support their hometown hero.
However, Pavesio said the signing was simply a sporting decision and nothing more.
He said, “When we signed with Toprak, it was not immediately a transaction, and no, Turkey had nothing to do with the transaction.”
“We believe he is a very talented rider. This has clearly shown in a different championship, and given time and support we believe he can do well in MotoGP as well.”
“It’s still something to be excited about; it’s going to be an exciting challenge. You can already see that it’s attracting the interest of the fans, and we’ve seen some interesting things.
Although we only did a test and a half, he had a bit of a shake before Valencia and then a few days in Valencia.
Is Toprak too late to MotoGP?
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Paolo Pavesio Torak Razgatlioglu highlights how ‘a project within a project’ in the Yamaha standards
Razgatlioglu set himself the goal Challenging the best on the MotoGP grid in the 2027 season.
Given Yamaha’s performance in recent years, the 2027 season also offers them a chance for redemption as the premier class enters an era of new technical regulations.
Pavesio also described the regulatory reform as the best time for the 29-year-old to make his mark on the Championship, showing how Razgatlioglu himself would join a team in transition.
“It’s still a project within a project because it brings that talented driver who is no longer a child,” Pavesio said.
“We know that it is not ten years ahead with a path that requires at least one year, how to speak, learn, practice, and this time we have to prepare the package.
“2027 is the year he will reveal his full potential if we are good.
Also, there has been a change in technical regulations from a few years ago, as well as the news from Pirelli this year, so that’s another thing that makes it even more interesting.
