Toprak Razgatlioglu’s much-anticipated MotoGP debut is still months away and one of his former rivals has warned the Turkish rider that his impact must be immediate.
Grand Prix motorcycle racing this year sees a 29-year-old rookie with three-time World Superbikes champion. Toprak Razgatlioglu.
Razgatlioglu first tested MotoGP machinery at Yamaha. In the year in 2022, and is making its move during the transition period for the Japanese developer.
However, new rules are expected in 2027, meaning Razgatlioglu won’t have much time to adjust to the 2026 roster before things change dramatically again.
He certainly has his work cut out for him, and one of his former WSBK title rivals has a stern warning for the Turkish rider to expect to get some meaningful results quickly.
- Read more: Massimo Rivola explains why he ‘couldn’t say yes’ to Torak Razgatlioglu’s podium in 2026.
Can Toprak Razgatlioglu repeat World Superbike success in MotoGP?
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Alvaro Bautista has warned Toprak Razgatlioglu that he has ‘only two years’ to work in MotoGP.
Ducati World Superbike rider Alvaro Bautista is one of several riders who have competed in both MotoGP and its production motorcycle equivalent.
During a recent interview with Sport.esThe Spaniard was asked if he had any advice for Razgatlioglu given his previous experience in the premier class.
He replied: “No, a few years ago, when there were rumors that he might go, I told him he was a star here in Superbikes. In MotoGP, for the time being, he will be another rider.”
“He has to find his place there and it’s complicated. It’s a very different world from Superbikes, but I understand that because I came from MotoGP and I know what it’s like.
“But he’s never been there, and if he doesn’t try, he’s left thinking he should have.
“So that’s the thing, he’ll see what it’s like, maybe he’ll be good at it and spend many years in his sports career or maybe he won’t be so lucky.
“If you don’t do well in two years there, the guys will come in and take everything away from you. We’ll see how it works.”
Toprak Razgatlioglu hopes to surpass the career of one of MotoGP’s leading world superbikes.
In the year A rider who transitions from World Superbikes to MotoGP at the start of 2026 has never won a single win in Grand Prix motorcycle racing’s premier class.
Cal Crutchlow is the most successful rider to make the move. Above, winning 3 Grands Prix and a total of 19 podiums in a MotoGP career spanning more than a decade.
Colin Edwards and Troy Bayliss are among the names of riders joining Crutchlow on the list of the best World Superbike-MotoGP racers.
Both riders went on to enjoy podium finishes in the Prototype category. Baileys won the fairy tale in the premier class After filling in for Sete Gibernau at the close of the season in 2006 in Valencia.
The relatively poor track record means that Razgatlioglu must be the greatest rider to compete in both divisions since his debut in WSBK.
