Toprak Razgatlioglu’s entry into MotoGP is still in its early phase, with the Turkish rider completing his first official testing day alongside established competitors. Riding for the Pramac team, Razgatlioglu placed 20th, trailing Marc Marquez by nearly two seconds and about one second behind the fastest Yamaha, piloted by Fabio Quartararo. This performance reflects the steep learning curve he faces while adjusting to the demands of MotoGP, particularly as his riding posture differs markedly from other racers.
Adjusting Riding Position and Ergonomics
Razgatlioglu currently employs a distinctive riding position that sets him apart from his peers, though he acknowledges the need to adapt this style. He remarked on improvements felt when using the bike’s back tail, stating,
“At the end of the day, we used the back tail and I felt much better because the bike stopped much better and this is helping more, you have more control over the rear, and I also did better in some corners,”
Toprak explained.
“Maybe tomorrow morning, I’ll use it from the start because aerodynamics are very important. I’m still not sure about the handlebars. I like the new ones, but in certain corners it’s not easy to lean out of the bike because they’re too high. We’ll see. For now, it’s fine. If I lowered them, it would be more difficult to adapt.”
Other Yamaha riders continue with ergonomics closer to last season’s setup, whereas Razgatlioglu prefers a lower seat and a specific feel, although he concedes the handlebars may be positioned too high.
“They use ergonomics similar to last year’s bike, mine is different because it’s important for me to have a low seat, a certain type of feeling, but maybe the handlebars are a little too high. We’ll see, we’re just doing tests,”
he commented. His approach still carries some habits from his Superbike (SBK) days, creating additional complexity during this transition.
In further detail, he noted,
“With the other handlebars, I feel the front is too low, it feels different because I’ve never used them. In SBK, I used a lowest seat always and high handlebars, but in MotoGP it’s different but not any lower because the fuel tank is there,”
adding,
“Maybe I’ll change, maybe not, we’ll see at the end of testing.”
Challenges with Braking and Riding Style Adaptation
One major area Razgatlioglu is working to improve is his braking technique and cornering speed. He expressed the difficulty in adapting to the required riding style, saying,
“I’ve only learned a little, a little more in some corners. I still can’t bring that much speed into the corners, but I’m trying to change my riding style. It’s not easy, but I need to. In certain corners, you have to ride as if you were on a Moto2 bike, and that’s not easy for me,”
underscoring the technical adjustments needed to compete effectively in MotoGP.
Implications for Razgatlioglu’s Future in MotoGP
As Razgatlioglu progresses through this early testing stage, the ongoing modifications to his riding position and technique will be critical to his success. His ability to adapt from Superbike habits to the distinct demands of MotoGP will shape his competitiveness within the Pramac team and the wider field. With testing continuing, decisions on ergonomic changes and riding style will become clearer, potentially helping him close the gap to frontrunners like Marc Marquez and Fabio Quartararo. Razgatlioglu’s evolving experience highlights the challenges riders face when stepping up to the premier class, emphasizing the technical complexity and precision required to excel in MotoGP.
