Toprak Razgatlioglu’s long-anticipated move to MotoGP finally became reality in 2025, when Yamaha supported his step into the premier class after several years of speculation about his future. He joins Pramac to ride the team’s new V4 engine, and although expectations are modest for his first season, his arrival has already stirred interest throughout the paddock. The Turkish rider has built a reputation for extraordinary braking skills and fearless racecraft in World Superbikes, but now he faces the challenge of adapting to a very different style of motorcycle and a much more demanding environment.

Razgatlioglu has been open about the learning curve ahead of him. MotoGP bikes place heavy emphasis on front-end confidence, Michelin tyres behave differently from what he is used to, and the electronics package requires precise adaptation. His early races are unlikely to reflect his true talent, and he has accepted that fighting for positions around 15th may feel frustrating, though he hopes those struggles will motivate him to climb the order more quickly. His team believes that once he restores the trust he needs in the front of the bike, his natural aggression and precision will allow him to become a genuine contender.

Despite the expected difficulties, Razgatlioglu has already set himself an ambitious long-term goal. He has spoken of his intention to fight Marc Márquez by 2027, which would come in only his second full season in MotoGP. It is a bold aim, yet entirely in character for a rider who dethroned Jonathan Rea in World Superbikes and who thrives when expectations around him are high. If he reaches a point where he can challenge Márquez directly, it would be a remarkable achievement and one of the most impressive transitions from Superbikes to MotoGP in recent years.

In testing, Razgatlioglu has also shown a different perspective from that of Yamaha star Fabio Quartararo. While Quartararo has criticised certain aspects of Yamaha’s new V4 project, Razgatlioglu has been more positive after his first proper outing on the bike during the Valencia post-season test. He has said the engine has strong potential and that he is encouraged by the early performance, creating a noticeable contrast between the two riders’ reactions to Yamaha’s latest development.

He has also expressed admiration for his former World Superbike rival Nicolo Bulega, who stepped in at Ducati as a substitute for Marc Márquez in the closing rounds of the season. Bulega impressed many observers with his calm approach and immediate speed, and Razgatlioglu went as far as saying that Ducati should seriously consider signing him for a future MotoGP seat. He described Bulega as “really good” and suggested that the manufacturer needs to keep him within their plans.

Razgatlioglu’s first year in MotoGP will be focused on adaptation and understanding rather than results, but there is little doubt that he brings something special to the grid. His unique riding style, strong personality, and proven winning mentality make him one of the most intriguing newcomers of recent seasons. If he settles into the rhythm of MotoGP machinery and continues developing at the rate he expects, he could become a major force and add a new dimension to the championship in the years ahead.