After winning multiple titles in World Superbikes, Toprak Razgatlioglu felt it was time for a new challenge and made the move to MotoGP. The Turkish rider had long been rumoured to be eyeing Grand Prix racing before finally making the jump in 2026.
Razgatlioglu departed WSBK after back-to-back championships with Yamaha. While he could have stayed to chase down Jonathan Rea’s record six titles, he chose to take on a new path instead.
Though he finished his Superbike career with 78 wins, second only to Rea’s 120, Razgatlioglu believed there wasn’t much left for him to accomplish in that paddock.
Toprak Razgatlioglu recalls the Social Media Push Behind His MotoGP Move
In an interview with TNT Sports ahead of the United States GP, Razgatlioglu discussed his reasons for stepping up to MotoGP in 2026. The timing raised a few eyebrows, given that the sport was set to go through some major changes in 2027.
Pirelli was also due to replace Michelin as the sport’s tyre supplier the following year, and given his experience with Pirelli in World Superbikes, that move would have made a more logical transition point.
But for Razgatlioglu, there was something missing even after all his achievements in Superbikes. He also recognised how much fans were pushing for him to make the jump into MotoGP.
“The last two years, we won very special titles with BMW,” he said. “After, I was thinking, ‘I need another challenge.’ I’m winning races, this is really good for a rider, but sometimes I know Superbikes is not enough to me.”
“And also, everyone sent me the message when I shared pictures: ‘go to MotoGP.’ When I’d post a picture of doing a stoppie and everyone writes: ‘go to MotoGP’. Anyway…finally I’m here.”
Gino Borsoi backs Toprak Razgatlioglu to succeed in MotoGP
Razgatlioglu picked up his first MotoGP point at the Circuit of the Americas, finishing 15th and ahead of all three Yamaha riders on the grid.
Since testing began, he has shown signs of impatience and frustration in interviews, which isn’t surprising given how used he was to controlling races in Superbikes.
But Pramac manager Gino Borsoi believes that despite the learning curve ahead, Razgatlioglu has already shown signs that he can deliver on high expectations.
Borsoi spoke to TNT about his potential: “From the beginning, we started to understand immediately that he has a big talent, that he could be one of the best riders from our programme for Yamaha for the future.
“He has speed, he has all the tools that a MotoGP rider needs to become one of the best. For sure, it’s a long journey.”
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