After months of rumors, Yamaha Pramac Racing has officially announced the arrival of Toprak Razgatlioglu in MotoGP for 2026. An announcement that has electrified the world of motorsports, as the Turk arouses both admiration and doubt. Among the voices that resonate, that of Chicho Lorenzo, father of ex-rider Jorge and a passionate analyst, has emerged with unfiltered statements on his Motogepeando channel.
« Toprak is a pilot charismatic, a runner who has many followers, like Fogarty in particular, Troy Bayliss, or even Ben Spies, Rea and Crutchlow, who is also a competitor which does not go unnoticed ", he immediately says Lorenzo. The Turk, undisputed star of the World SBK, has made an impression with his spectacular style and his audacity. He's a driver who has as many fans as Fogarty once did. “, he adds.
But beyond popularity, one question burns the lips: Razgatlioglu Can he compete with the MotoGP elite? Lorenzo provides a nuanced answer, based on an unwritten rule: Superbike often remains a refuge for those who have not made it into MotoGP. Superbike is a chance to keep racing for many riders who no longer have a place in MotoGP. […] We have two examples: Max Biaggi, 250cc champion, and Carlos Checa, who was not a champion either, but who raced in 500cc for most of his career, won one victory, then moved up to Superbike and became world champion. »
History and statistics are against Toprak Razgatlioglu
An observation which pushes him to make an unequivocal prediction on Toprak's chances: " Let's say that with the numbers, this young man has a 99% chance of not becoming world champion, or not to win many victories. That's what I think. »
Despite this skepticism, boy lorenzo salutes the contribution of spectacular drivers like Razgatlioglu. " What I like is to see real piloting " he confides, quoting legends of the show: " We always had drivers who put on a show on the track, like Miller. We had Randy Mamola, a driver who was four times vice-world champion in his time »
The statistics are against him, but Toprak has already proven he enjoys defying the odds. It remains to be seen whether his raw talent will be enough to shake up the MotoGP establishment. One thing is certain: all eyes will be on this duel between Turkish audacity and the cold reality of numbers. See you in 2026 for the final verdict.
