One of the most exciting moves in recent MotoGP history will happen ahead of the 2026 season as Toprak Razgatlioglu switches from a superbike to the premier class.
The Turkish rider has been linked with a move to MotoGP for many seasons and his recent successes have helped him to earn a full-time nod.
He has signed a deal with Pramac, and is their only confirmed rider for 2026 so far. They’re yet to decide who between Jack Miller and Miguel Oliveira gets to keep their seat, if either of them do.
Yamaha are in a good position and with their heavy investment, should only improve over the coming years.
Razgatlioglu has a Fabio Quartararo clause, which will entitle him to the same parts as the factory rider throughout 2026. He wanted to be on level ground with his rivals.
Even if he didn’t have the same specification as those around him, Razgatlioglu has ‘no chance’ of being worse than one rider who has endured a particularly tricky 2025.
Toprak Razgatlioglu has a ‘genius’ trait that will help him be fast on a Yamaha MotoGP bike
Razgatlioglu could partner a new Pramac signing for 2026, depending on what sort of direction his team wants to head in for the future.
His full focus will be on adjusting to the new machinery that he has to handle, which will be very different to what he is used to over the last few years.
Peter Bom backs him to continue to be top class in one area, believing that he is a ‘genius’ at doing one thing on two wheels of any form.
“I have two ways to look at it. First of all, he’s the genius of the front, so he will be fine in the end,” he said.
“The other side says no no no, it was even Marc Marquez, the mighty Marc, needed more than half a year to get used to a modern MotoGP bike and tyre, and how to use it. To not ride it like it was his Honda [in 2024].
“The first thing Toprak will do is ride it like a fast BMW, which is everything you should not do on a MotoGP bike. He will be challenged for his intelligence and to be humble and pick it up from the ground.”
How fast has Toprak Razgatlioglu been recently?
Razgatlioglu may have joined the wrong team, according to Jorge Lorenzo, who believes that Honda may have been a better fit.
However, it’s too late for chatter about who, what, where and when? What we do know is that he’s a valuable commodity and a hot talent.
Most recently, he completed a clean sweep at Misano, winning all three Superbike World Championship races in the weekend for just the second time this season.
He trails Nicolo Bulega by nine points at the top of the standings, and signing off with a third title would be the perfect way to arrive on the MotoGP scene for 2026.
