Ex-World Superbike rider Eugene Laverty has highlighted the importance of Toprak Razgatlioglu taking his current MotoGP crew chief, Phil Marron, along as he steps up to MotoGP. Laverty believes the transition would be smoother with Marron’s technical expertise and understanding of Razgatlioglu’s riding style, crucial as the Turkish star adapts to new challenges.
Laverty, who raced in both WorldSBK and MotoGP, pointed to his own experience working with Marron during his career to emphasize the benefits of a familiar and communicative crew chief.
Phil Marron’s Impact on Riders’ Performance
Between 2011 and 2014, Laverty secured victories in all 13 of his World Superbike wins with Marron’s support. When Laverty moved to MotoGP in 2015 with the Aspar team, Marron continued as his crew chief, guiding him through the complex changes in that sport’s technical and competitive landscape.
Laverty’s MotoGP stint was marked by fluctuating conditions, including a shift from Bridgestone to Michelin tires and changing electronics regulations, which made consistent performance a challenge. Despite this, Marron’s guidance helped Laverty improve significantly in his second season, highlighted by a notable fourth-place finish in Argentina.
Unique Skills That Make Marron an Asset
Laverty explained that Marron’s strength lies in his ability to truly listen rather than simply respond, a rare quality in a crew chief. He said,
“I’d say you really need to bring someone who’s familiar with how you ride the bike and what you need,”
Eugene Laverty told Crash.net during the UK WorldSBK event.
“Phil [Marron] uses his ears better than any crew chief I’ve ever worked with, he really listens. The rider doesn’t say something just for the sake of saying it and Phil really understands that. So, he would always stay silent and let the rider say as many words as he’d like and then try and delve through that information.”
This approach has helped Marron build a strong working relationship with Toprak Razgatlioglu, supporting him through significant milestones in his career.
Proven Success and Future Possibilities
Since joining Puccetti Kawasaki, Marron has been with Razgatlioglu for all 72 of his WorldSBK race wins and both of his world championship titles. This long-standing partnership demonstrates a deep mutual trust and high performance, which Laverty believes should continue into MotoGP.
Laverty expressed hope for Marron’s involvement in Razgatlioglu’s MotoGP journey, stating,
“I don’t know if it’s confirmed yet if he’s going to MotoGP next year with him or not, but I really hope he is because, for Toprak to make that transition to a MotoGP bike with a different brand of tyre, he needs to have Phil with him to make that transition quickly.”
Phil Marron himself confirmed interest in returning to MotoGP alongside Razgatlioglu, whose switch to the premier class was announced in June, ahead of the Emilia-Romagna WorldSBK round.
Challenges Ahead for Toprak Razgatlioglu in MotoGP
Moving from WorldSBK to MotoGP poses significant technical and competitive challenges, including mastering a different motorcycle setup and adjusting to new tire manufacturers. Having a crew chief who understands the rider’s preferences and communication style is vital for a smooth adaptation period, especially when switching to a different brand of tire as Razgatlioglu will in MotoGP.
Laverty’s insights highlight the importance of continuity in technical support to maintain performance levels and confidence during this critical transition.
The Significance of Marron’s Role Moving Forward
The potential reunion between Razgatlioglu and Marron at MotoGP could set a positive precedent for other riders moving between championships. Marron’s reputation for attentive listening and thorough analysis makes him an ideal figure to support such transitions, ensuring riders retain familiarity in the pit lane and technical feedback.
This partnership could prove decisive in how quickly Razgatlioglu adapts to the premier class and competes among established MotoGP contenders.
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