The two -time superbike champion realizes his dream of driving in MotoGP
In recent days there was rumored of a possible entry of Toprak Razgatlioglu in MotoGP. Now it’s official: in 2026 the Turkish pilot will return to drive for Yamaha, this time in the Pramac team that will have identical specifications to the official team. “It has always been my dream to run in MotoGP and I am really happy that it is now a reality”: his first words after the announcement. The Turkish pilot resisted the rich contract that BMW would offer him to continue his path in Superbike. For the sample SBK is like a return to the past: for the Japanese team, in fact, he ran four years with the series derivatives, winning the title in 2021 and coming twice second in the championship in the following years. The Turkish pilot then went to BMW with which he repeated the title.
Pavesio’s words
–
To welcome Razgatlioglu in Yamaha Pramac is Paolo Pavesio, the CEO of Yamaha Motor Racing: “We are excited to welcome Toprak again to the Yamaha family. Toprak, the most winning Yamaha rider ever in Superbike, has shown that he is an exceptional talent, conquering twice the World Worldsbk title. Motogp transition is both a “return home” and a new and exciting challenge, created with the clear objective of progressive growth over time.
Future Yamaha
–
It is a Yamaha who in a certain sense looks to the future. If the age of Razgatlioglu, which in 2026 is now 29 years old, and the time of adaptation to a new motorcycle in a new category can bring some doubts, in 2027 there will be the arrival of Pirelli as a supplier of motorboot tires and toprak can represent an advantage compared to the other teams. In a World Cup where the tire management has become crucial for the races, the Turk already has already known the tires of the Italian supplier, having already used in Superbike, unlike all the other MotoGP drivers engaged with the Michelin ones. In addition, with the entry into force in 2027 of the new regulation, 2026 can help him in the adaptation process.
pilots
–
It remains to be understood who will give way to Razgatlioglu. Currently, in the Campinoti team Miguel Oliveira also has a contract for 2026, but the contacts have already started for an extension, despite an shoulder injury, he has complicated the season by keeping him out for a little races. The other pilot is Jack Miller, expiring at the end of the year. For the Australian there is talk of an reverse path to that of Toprak, or a superbike passage, even if he would like to do at least another season in MotoGP.
© RESERVED REPRODUCTION