Toprak Razgatlioglu’s transition from World Superbike to MotoGP has begun with a series of challenges, as the Turkish rider acknowledged frustration and slow progress following the 2026 pre-season test at Sepang.
After dominating in WorldSBK, Razgatlioglu arrived in Malaysia with high expectations for his debut MotoGP campaign. However, five days of running across the shakedown and official tests highlighted the steep learning curve he now faces at the highest level of motorcycle racing.
On the final day of the Sepang Test, Razgatlioglu recorded a best lap of 1 minute 58.326 seconds, placing him 18th overall and more than two seconds behind pace-setter Alex Marquez. He also finished over seven tenths of a second behind Yamaha teammate Alex Rins, underlining the gap he must close in the coming weeks.
Speaking after the test, Razgatlioglu admitted that the lack of progress had affected his confidence.
“I am a little bit angry because the lap time is not coming,” he said. “I am riding the same as before, but the improvement is not there. It is not easy to see yourself so far down the list after being successful in superbikes.”
One of the main obstacles has been his adjustment to Michelin tyres, which differ significantly from the Pirelli tyres used in WorldSBK. Razgatlioglu explained that the Michelin rear tyre is more sensitive and difficult to manage, particularly when pushing on new rubber.
“With Pirelli, when the tyre spins, it is easier to control,” he said. “With Michelin, when it spins, it is harder to recover. The feeling is very different.”
Source: Crash.net
This change in tyre behaviour has forced Razgatlioglu to rethink his riding style. His aggressive braking technique has transferred well to MotoGP, but he continues to struggle in long, fast corners and during acceleration.
“I am strong on the brakes, but in long corners I still do not understand,” he admitted. “In superbikes, I use the rear tyre more. In MotoGP, you need to be very smooth and open the throttle gently.”
Efforts to improve his comfort through set-up changes, including experimenting with different handlebars, have brought mixed results. Some adjustments have helped his cornering but affected top speed and stability, making it difficult to find a consistent balance.
Despite the difficulties, Razgatlioglu remains focused on learning and improving. He will have two more important test days at Buriram later this month, where he hopes to complete longer race simulations and gain further understanding of the Yamaha M1.
“I am trying to learn quickly,” he said. “I do not know how yet, but I am pushing every day and trying to improve.”
With the 2026 MotoGP season approaching, Razgatlioglu’s early struggles highlight the demanding nature of the transition from WorldSBK to the premier class. While progress has been slower than expected, the upcoming tests will be crucial in determining how quickly he can close the gap and build confidence ahead of his debut campaign.
