Torak Razgatlioglu’s riding position made headlines ahead of the 2026 MotoGP season, with Yamaha forced to make changes to their bikes. Sylvain Guintoli explains the physical toll it takes on the three-time World Superbike champion.
Razgatlioglu After making a change of discipline at the age of 29, official MotoGP starts in Thailand this weekend.
The Turkish rider was unable to use Yamaha’s seat aero during MotoGP testing because it sat too low. According to the rules, the space between the seat and the legs cannot exceed 150 mm.
The benefit helped him to stop the bike, but Pramak earlier asked Razgatlioglu to put the brakes on. And ignore his familiar style of attack.
Silvan Guintoli likened Torak Razgatlioglu’s boarding position to ‘yoga’.
Guintoli Previously a test rider for BMW, Razgatlioglu rode for the German manufacturer in World Superbikes. He said that using the same chair is a physical pain.
Razgatlioglu forced himself to perform ‘next-level yoga’ to track lap times, although Yamaha’s engineers could encourage him to improve his position if they felt he was giving up too much back power without a wing.
“He did this at BMW,” Guintoli saidGet off the gas‘ Podcast. “The seat was very, very low, I used to jump on the bike, I was a BMW tester.
“It hurts your knees and legs, you feel that your back is close to your legs, it’s hard to move on the bike, it’s constantly pushing you on your feet.
“We all try and be flexible, but this is like the next level of yoga that you have to do to be able to control that bike.”
Some experts expect Razgatlioglu will fight in 2026 Due to the size of the adaptation. After racing on Pirelli tires in WSBK, he is now adapting to Michelin tires.
Fabio Quattararo tells Torak Razgatlioglu he will join Yamaha ‘on a low level’
Razgatlioglu was 21st out of 22 drivers on the final day of pre-season testing at Buriram. He is only surpassed by challenger Michel Piron, who will replace the injured Fermin Aldeguerre this weekend at Gresini.
The six-tenths gap to Alex Rins in P20 is somewhat concerning for Razgatlioglu, but with the well-documented problems with the V4, Yamaha now has the slowest bike in MotoGP. This will reduce the pressure on their new signing.
Indeed, Fabio Quatararo Razgatlioglu says he is joining Yamaha at a low level. for the project. He urged him to persevere, though he said it was normal to ‘despair’.
Razgatlioglu is looking at teammate Jack Miller. To inspire. He followed Miller in Thailand and was impressed by the Aussie’s lean angle on corner entry.
Expect the study to continue for at least the first few rounds of the 2026 season.
