Fate played a strange trick on Nicolò Bulega and Toprak Razgatlioglu. The former, the 2023 Supersport World Champion and current Ducati rider in WorldSBK, finally got a taste of MotoGP before his Turkish rival, who already had a Yamaha contract for 2026 in hand. An unexpected opportunity—but also a valuable lesson he now wants to pass on: a MotoGP bike isn't ridden like a Superbike.
Taking advantage of the Marc Marquez's injuryBulega made his debut on the Ducati DesmosedicThe Italian driver delivered a respectable performance, managing to score a point in the Grand Prix, but at the cost of an intense effort.
Exhausted after getting off the bike, he discovered just how demanding the world of MotoGP is, particularly because of the Michelin tires, much more sensitive than the Pirelli used in Superbike.
« I was riding like I was in Superbike, but it doesn't work with the Michelin front tire. " he admitted after his fall during the sprint race.
« I was flying without thinking too much.which is the only way to to have funBut on Sunday, I think I'll have to be careful. »
And he kept his word. The next day, Open up finished fifteenth, scoring the only point Ducati official of the day Pecco Bagnaia having given up.
"The sensations with the front tire are so different " he added, highlighting the difficulty of adapting to the premier category.
A clear warning for Toprak Razgatlioglu
While Toprak Razgatlioglu is about to make its true debut with Yamaha en MotoGP — after an initial private test in Aragon —, Open up He gives him a very clear piece of advice: forget his Superbike reflexes.
« Superbike-style braking doesn't work in MotoGP. He warns.
« He will have to adapt his braking.I don't know the Yamaha, and Toprak is one of the hardest-braking riders, but the problem is that here, We need to brake differently, more gently.That's the whole difficulty. »
A direct, almost fraternal message from a driver who has just discovered for himself the pitfalls of the premier category.
The finding of Open up The answer is clear: MotoGP demands a radically different approach, especially in terms of braking, tire management, and precision. The slightest error in weight transfer or front-end load can cause an instant crash.
For RazgatliogluKnown for his spectacular style and late braking in WorldSBK, the transition promises to be tricky. The tires Michelin They tolerate neither excess nor improvisation.
Soil is already training on the Yamaha M1 in Aragon before his official debut in the tests Valenciawhere he will be able to measure the veracity of his Italian rival's warnings.
Nicholas Bulega not only paved the way for Toprak Razgatlioglu — he also held up a mirror to him. In that reflection, a simple message: in MotoGP, talent is not enough, you have to relearn how to ride.
