Toprak Razgatlioglu’s warning? – ‘I’m thinking about MotoGP for 2024; If that

Toprak Razgatlioglu’s possible move to MotoGP is not new. The Turkish rider is the 2021 Superbike World Champion and in light of Franco Morbidelli’s unsatisfactory performances last year there has been talk of a possible jump from #54 to MotoGP, bearing in mind that Morbidelli’s current contract guarantees him a place at Yamaha until the end of the current season.

To SPEEDWEEK.com, Razgatlioglu does not hide his desire for change: ‘There’s nothing to announce yet, but now I have the dream of driving MotoGP. In 2021, I was Superbike World Champion, now I’m looking at MotoGP. Why shouldn’t I try it there?’

Although he recognises that he has better possibilities to move with Yamaha, Razgatlioglu does not reject talking to other brands present in the championship. Furthermore, the rider highlights the quality of Aprilia, as well as Ducati.

‘Aprilia is very good, they’ve improved a lot. My contract with Yamaha ends after this season. Maybe I’ll sign with them again, maybe I’ll go to another brand. It’s still too early to say anything, a decision will probably not be made until the middle of the year. I hope to be able to ride MotoGP next year. In MotoGP, all the bikes are close, but everyone can see that the Ducati are very strong. Just like in the Superbike World Championship. But Yamaha was world champion in 2021, why not improve and bring a strong bike for next year? As a Yamaha rider, I have the best chance at Yamaha. As of today, they have room for me in the factory team for next year. If that doesn’t work, we might look at other teams. Maybe I’ll stay in the Superbike World Championship. My plan and my dream is to fight for the MotoGP title – or for podiums. I don’t just want to ride a GP bike. I would be the first Turkish rider in the MotoGP World Championship, but that’s not important to me. It’s important that I can finish in the top three. I know everyone in MotoGP is very strong and very close. Maybe my first year wouldn’t be easy and I’d be stronger in my second year. I don’t know it. The GP bike is very different from the Superbike, the tires are different too and I would have to adapt,’ he said.

The rider – who tested the M1 at Aragón last year – concluded: ‘At the moment, I’m thinking about MotoGP for next year. If that doesn’t work, then the topic is closed for me. Then I’ll stay in the Superbike World Championship.’