Toprak Razgatlıoğlu finally in MotoGP next season?

It's a name that comes up again and again in transfer rumors in MotoGP for several years. World Superbike Champion in 2021 and 2024, Toprak Razgatlıoğlu has been hovering around the premier class without ever finding his place there. This could finally change next season for the Turkish rider, who has long been associated with Yamaha in WSBK.

With the arrival of Pramac in the Yamaha fold, the Japanese manufacturer now has four bikes to share. Jack Miller, recruited during the off-season, is only committed for one year and is still struggling to find his feet. If Paolo Campinoti's team decides to part ways with the Australian, Razgatlıoğlu could be one of the first choices.

"We proposed a project", revealed in April his manager Kenan Sofuoğlu to speedweek. "If we don't receive a response within four weeks, we may pursue another path. We have presented this idea to the company; if they accept it, we can make an announcement." A clear way to put pressure on Yamaha... which, for its part, does not want to rush.

"Four events have taken place in Superbike. We will draw conclusions about what we have and what we want by the summer break. Before that, it would be too early for our current riders.", sweeps aside Paolo Pavesio, Yamaha's new general manager of motorsports, successor to Lin Jarvis. He wants to give time to Miguel Oliveira, sidelined for two months due to injury, and to Jack Miller, who are both discovering Yamaha after arriving from Aprilia and KTM respectively.

Razgatlıoğlu between Honda and Yamaha?

"He is exceptionally talented in what he has done so far," nevertheless recognizes Pavesio. “And there’s a real curiosity in the industry about what he could achieve in MotoGP. To become a major figure in this category takes time, work, and adaptation – his talent is undeniable. But whether he could express it in MotoGP as well is the question. Toprak and Yamaha will always have a good relationship. He’s the only rider, along with Ben Spies, to have won a Superbike title with us. Those are wonderful memories. He’s still Yamaha’s most successful rider. Careers are short in this sport, and I respect the choice he made a few years ago (to stay in Superbike, editor’s note). Even though it wasn’t a blue bike that won last year, I was happy with the show he put on.”

But if Yamaha keeps Razgatlıoğlu waiting too long, he could look elsewhere. Particularly at Honda, where Luca Marini's future is uncertain. The problem: the Turk starts a step behind Johann Zarco, who has impressed at LCR, Honda's satellite team, with whom he achieved a resounding feat by winning the French Grand Prix at Le Mans. The Cannes native is looking to secure a seat at the factory team, which he could well secure thanks to his sensational start to the season, which places him 6th in the standings as the first non-Ducati rider.

ALSO READ > Johann Zarco's day of glory, experienced from the inside