Toprak Razgatlioglu faced a demanding return to the MotoGP track after a day off, finishing 18th and less than two seconds behind Alex Marquez‘s impressive performance on the Ducati. The Turkish rider acknowledged the steep learning curve he must tackle as he tries to adjust to the Yamaha M1 and the distinct challenges of MotoGP riding. His focus is on decoding MotoGP’s unique demands and refining the Yamaha to better suit his style before the upcoming race in Buriram, Thailand, scheduled in just over two weeks.
Learning From Testing Sessions Amidst Ongoing Struggles
Reflecting on four and a half days of testing, Toprak candidly described his progress and frustrations. He acknowledged limited gains while striving to modify his riding style to fit the new machine’s requirements. He reported frustration after morning sessions where times didn’t meet his expectations, but noted an improvement in the afternoon after adjustments to the bike’s base setup and new tires provided some better feel.
“I’ve learned something, but not a lot,”
Toprak stated.
“I’m trying to change my riding style, and I can’t deny that I was angry this morning because I didn’t get the time I was hoping for. With the setup and the new tyres, we found a good base in the afternoon, and I feel a bit better. The thing I want to emphasize is that we didn’t touch the suspension in terms of setup. In Buriram, we will evaluate new parts, since we need a different setup in terms of grip and cornering speed.”
Adjusting to New Tires Remains a Major Challenge
Toprak highlighted the difficulty of understanding the Michelin tires’ complex behavior, especially in long corners where maintaining speed has been problematic. He compared his braking skill positively but emphasized that carrying speed through turns and managing throttle control with the new tires requires more time and experience.
“With the new tyres, I followed Miller to understand the behaviour in the corners. He is very strong in the long corners. In braking, on the other hand, it goes pretty well: I’m strong, I can brake well and stop the bike. The problem is that in the long corners, I still struggle to understand how to tackle them, since I can’t carry speed. I also need to be able to make better use of the brake; I need more time.”
Upcoming Buriram Tests to Focus on New Setups and Riding Style
Looking ahead, Toprak expects to experiment with suspension setups and incorporate new parts during the Buriram test, aiming to improve cornering speed and entry. He expressed the need for fresh technical approaches to aid his progress on the Yamaha.
“I think we’ll try another setup, because we haven’t touched the suspension much here. We’ll just try some new parts and focus mainly on riding. At the moment, it seems we need a different setup; I need more speed in corners and on entry.”
Motivation Takes a Hit Despite Expectations
Toprak admitted his motivation has waned as his lap times failed to reach the 1:57 range he was aiming for. He noted that while he managed a 1:58.3 once using two fresh tires, he had hoped for faster times to boost his confidence.
“I was hoping to do 1’57, 1’577 or 1’576, but it was very difficult. My motivation also dropped when I saw that the time wasn’t coming. At the beginning of the day, I found some rhythm, but I used two new tyres. I did 1:58.3. If I had seen a 1:57, it would have been good for me, but I need time to understand.”
Transitioning from Superbike to MotoGP Presents Significant Difficulties
Adjusting to the abrupt differences between Superbike riding and MotoGP has proved challenging, especially in terms of throttle modulation and riding style. Toprak explained that while he is comfortable with aggressive rear tire use in Superbikes, MotoGP demands far smoother throttle application due to Michelin tire sensitivity. This shift is a key hurdle in his adaptation process.
“When I ride with new tyres, it’s very difficult to understand the right moment to open the throttle. In Superbike, I always use the rear, both when entering corners and accelerating, while in MotoGP it’s the opposite. I have to ride more like in Moto2, using very gentle throttle opening, because the Michelins are very sensitive. As I said, I’m trying to adapt, but after Superbike it’s not easy. The team always tells me to ride more smoothly, but that’s easier said than done.”
Riding Style Remains Rooted in Superbike Experience
Toprak recognizes he is still riding with a Superbike approach, which limits his performance in fast corners and on straights. This natural riding style is at odds with the demands of MotoGP racing, contributing to his current difficulty in finding consistency.
“Exactly! I ride in Superbike style. I’m comfortable with the rear, but the problem is that I struggle in fast corners and on straights, so my natural style doesn’t come into play.”
Despite Setbacks, Toprak Remains Committed to Learning
Though disheartened by his current standing relative to his past Superbike success, Toprak remains focused on rapid improvement. He expressed uncertainty about the precise path forward but emphasized his determination to push himself every day.
“It’s not easy for me to see myself at the bottom, especially after the results I achieved in Superbike. But I’m trying to learn as quickly as possible. I hope to improve, I don’t know how yet, but I try to push every day.”
Michelin Tires’ Sensitive Rear Makes Mastery Difficult
Toprak detailed how Michelin tires behave differently from the Pirellis he was used to in Superbike, making managing tire push much more complicated due to lack of clear feedback. This gives other riders with more MotoGP experience an advantage over him.
“I mean that it’s very different from Pirelli. With Pirelli, when you feel the push, it becomes easier to manage. With Michelin, on the other hand, when it starts to push, it doesn’t stop. It’s difficult to understand. The other riders already know it, so it’s easier for them, but for me it’s complicated because I lack experience.”
Sharp Differences Between MotoGP and Superbike Machinery
Toprak described the contrast between the two categories as a challenge split evenly between bike characteristics and tire behavior. He highlighted watching Alex Marquez’s Ducati, admiring its excellent cornering and acceleration thanks to superior grip, qualities his Yamaha currently struggles to match.
“Everything. I’d say 50-50. I also enjoy braking, but speed is difficult. This morning I saw Alex Márquez: his bike turns incredibly well and has great acceleration, making the most of the grip. It’s difficult for me to replicate that style, especially for the first 4-5 races. Obviously, I’d like to ride like him too, but the bike doesn’t stop as I’d like it to and we lose something. It’s also a question of set-up, not just riding style. So we have to find a solution for the race.”
Race Simulations and Understanding Tire Wear Remain Uncertain
Looking ahead to race scenarios, Toprak acknowledged he still lacks a full understanding of Michelin tire behavior over race length, particularly after 12 laps. He plans to attempt a race simulation during the upcoming test in Thailand to gain further experience.
“Yes, because I still need to understand the tyres better, especially in race simulations. I still don’t know what their potential is after 12 laps. In Thailand, I might try a race simulation.”
Testing New Rear Wing Configurations to Improve Bike Feedback
Toprak has experimented with different rear wing setups aiming to improve handling and comfort through corners. He finds the lower seating position more favorable for controlling the bike, but acknowledges he will continue comparing configurations to find the best fit for his style on the Yamaha.
“I tried them two days ago and I’ll try them again in Buriram. The feeling is good because they allow you to understand the behavior of the bike. With the low seat, I feel more comfortable, especially in corners, and I understand the bike. When I’m in the high position, it’s different. At the moment, my Yamaha is a ‘touring bike’. I’ll have to compare the high handlebars again to find the feel I need.”
Physical Demands of MotoGP Testing Prove Exhausting
After five days of testing, Toprak admitted the physical strain is intense, especially given the hotter environment compared to Superbike. He finds it hard to relax on the bike and constantly pushing himself to the limit leaves him fatigued.
“The first few days were tough. In my first three days of testing, I couldn’t relax on the bike. In Superbike, it’s easy to do a lot of laps, but here it’s different, especially in the heat. I always feel the limit, I can’t relax, and it’s difficult. I’m tired.”
Advice for Fellow Riders Transitioning to MotoGP
Toprak believes Nicolò Bulega could adapt more swiftly to MotoGP due to his precise riding style and strength in wide corners. He emphasized how drastically the riding style must change from Superbikes, giving examples from Johnny Rea’s own transition opportunities.
“I think if he came here, he could ride much better than me because he has a precise riding style and is very strong in wide corners. The fact is that Superbike riding includes these aspects: you stop the bike, take a V-shaped trajectory, and accelerate. That works there, but in MotoGP you have to completely change your style. Even Johnny Rea did the same when he came here.”
Expected Difficulties Match Reality for Toprak
Despite the challenges, Toprak had anticipated these struggles when moving to MotoGP and entered the transition prepared for the complexity ahead.
No, I expected these difficulties.
