MotoGP: Toprak Razgatlioglu loses one of his most valuable men and KTM takes advantage!

Toprak Razgatlioglu's arrival in MotoGP is becoming a reality, and we now know a little more about those who will accompany him. Behind the scenes, a veritable ballet of engineers takes place, who come and go, depending on projects and opportunities. While we already know who will be Toprak Razgatlioglu's chief engineer in early 2026, the unknown still looms as to who will replace Enea Bastianini. And BMW, in the affair, has also lost someone! We explain everything.

This game of musical chairs began when Alberto Giribuola, Enea Bastianini's team leader at KTM Tech3, suddenly slammed the door to join Yamaha Pramac, to support Toprak in 2026. According to speedweek, an anonymous Yamaha source said that this choice was made so that an engineer with MotoGP experience could help the Turk perform at his best.

🇪🇸 Saturday in Aragon

Superpole ⏱️
Toprak Razgatlıoğlu – P2 🥈
Michael van der Mark – P12

Race 1 🏁
Toprak Razgatlıoğlu – P1 🏆
Michael van der Mark – P10 #AragonWorldSBK #WorldSBK #WeAreROKiT #M1000RR @ROKiT @BMWMotorradMoSp pic.twitter.com/Uj0QApAr9A

— ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team (@SMRWorldSBK) September 27, 2025

At the same time, KTM is expected to announce the arrival of Phil Brown, Razgatlioglu's current team leader in Superbike at BMW. Marron, a very talented man, has been instrumental in the development of the BMW M1000RR, and has helped Toprak crush the category this year. According to sources, Marron was once considered by Yamaha Pramac before the situation changed, particularly because the development of the V4 would require someone with MotoGP experience. This ends a rather long saga, as many thought that Marron would either stay at BMW, accompany Toprak, or sign with LCR Honda.

Also according to Speedweek, Phil Marron will become Brad Binder's team leader in 2026. The South African is currently supported by Andres Madrid, and has been for a long time. Madrid could very well stand alongside Enea Bastianini next year, but nothing has been confirmed yet on this front.. Toprak will therefore discover the category with someone he does not know, but who already has a lot of experience: Giribuola, before working with Enea Bastianini since 2021 and the Ducati Avintia era, was in the service of Andrea Dovizioso within the Ducati factory team.

What do you think of this information? Does KTM come out on top in such a move? Tell us in the comments!