Toprak Razgatlioglu He recently announced his plans. The world champion of 2021 Superbike with Yamaharunner-up in the world last year and is now second in the championship behind the Ducati of Alvaro Bautista, He clearly wants to jump to MotoGP in 2024. He had said it days ago. He 26 year old pilot, one of the most talented in series-derived motorcycle competition, aggressive and with very showy riding, ended his contract this year with Yamaha and the Japanese firm does not want to lose it. For this reason, after a strong warning from the Turkish pilot, the Japanese brand was not slow to react.
“There is nothing to announce yet, but I have a dream to ride in MotoGP. In 2021 I became the Superbike world champion. Now I look at MotoGP, why not try there?”, he said a few days ago on the ‘Speedweek’ portal, making it clear that if there is no available place in the factory team at Yamaha, his pulse will not tremble to find another seat in another brand. And Yamaha took up the gauntlet.
The Japanese firm did not take long to announce that it will offer him a test in their MotoGP at Jerez this Monday and Tuesday (April 10 and 11). The Turk has already done a MotoGP Yamaha test in June 2022, at Motorland Aragón, but was unlucky with the weather, as he had to ride in poor track conditions. Today, he will have a new opportunity in Jerez in a test where he will share the track with British Cal Crutchlow, a test rider who will help him get used to the premier class motorcycle in the world championship. Lin Jarvis, Yamaha’s MotoGP team manager, will be fully aware of everything that will happen, attending to follow Toprak’s steps first to review his test with the test team.
“I’m really looking forward to try it YZR-M1 MotoGP at Jerez, a circuit I like a lot. The last test in Aragón was limited by the weather, but in Jerez it looks like we will have better conditions and more track time. This will give me the opportunity to better understand the demands of racing a factory MotoGP bike. Thanks to Yamaha for giving me this opportunity”, commented the pilot.
Lin Jarvis: “I’m curious to see how fast he is on our bike”
Yamaha team leader in MotoGP
“First of all, let me say that it is a pleasure to give Toprak another chance to ride the YZR-M1. I was not able to attend his previous test, but this time I will be in Jerez to follow the test and will leave directly from there to attend the Grand Prix of the Americas in Austin next weekend.
“Toprak is an exceptionally talented motorcycle racer, and I am very curious to see his speed on our Factory MotoGP machine. He will have the opportunity to ride alongside Cal, who will be there for the ongoing testing development of our 2023 YZR-M1.” .
Andrea Dosoli
Road Racing Manager Yamaha Motor Europe
This time in Jerez, a track where Toprak has traditionally been very strong, it looks like we will enjoy almost perfect test conditions. Toprak’s focus in this test was to get a feel for the YZR-M1 and the Michelin tires again, while we were interested to see how quickly a WorldSBK rider of his caliber could adapt to the unique demands of riding a MotoGP bike.
Toprak’s notice: He wants to go to MotoGP in 2024
“Aprilia has been very good, has improved a lot. My contract with Yamaha expires at the end of this season. Maybe I’ll sign with them again… or maybe with another brand. A decision probably won’t be made until the middle of the year.” he told ‘Speedweek’.
“I hope I can race in MotoGP next year. All the bikes are close, but Ducatis are very strong, like in Superbike. Yamaha won the title in 2021, why not improve and bring a strong bike for next year? ” , he added, confident of the improvement Yamaha can make for next year after a bad start to 2023 in MotoGP.
“As a Yamaha rider, I have my best chance there. But if that won’t work out, we could look at other teams. My plan and my dream is to fight for the MotoGP title or for podiums. Right now, I’m thinking about MotoGP for next year. If that doesn’t work, then the topic is closed for me. I will stay in Superbike”, he concluded on this matter.
Source: La Verdad
I’m Rose Herman and I work as an author for Today Times Live. My expertise lies in writing about sports, a passion of mine that has been with me since childhood. As part of my job, I provide comprehensive coverage on everything from football to tennis to golf.
