The announcement came as a bolt from the blue: WorldSBK superstar Toprak Razgatlioglu is joining Pramac Racing in MotoGP for 2026! A bold move, but one fraught with pitfalls. Rewarded for his mastery of Pirelli tires in Superbike, the Turkish rider will first have to master Michelins in 2026, before the arrival of Pirellis in 2027. But that's just the tip of the iceberg!
The arrival of Toprak Razgatlioglu in MotoGP from 2026, confirmed by his signing with Pramac Racing, already raises a series of questions. The Turkish rider, Superbike world champion with Yamaha et BMW, will move from the WSBK scene to the premier category, a transition that is always delicate, even more so in the current context.
One of the first challenges identified is technical: the issue of tires. Razgatlioglu has built much of its reputation on its exceptional ability to exploit the Pirelli in WorldSBK. However, MotoGP will only use these tires from 2027. In 2026, Toprak will have to adapt to the Michelin , known to be very different in their behavior.
Lewis Duncan, podcast guest MotoGP crash, pointed out this transition: “ how can we expect him to help Yamaha develop the bike for the 2027 Pirellis, when it may not even be able to exploit the full potential of the current machine with Michelins? »
He is also concerned about a broader problem: " Why can't we just have two independent leagues, each with its own stars? Why is it absolutely essential for a great Superbike rider to succeed in MotoGP? »
« If Toprak Razgatlioglu doesn't perform in the second season, it might be the end of his MotoGP adventure, and that would be a waste. »
Duncan also highlights the risk of a MotoGP that is too homogeneous: " by removing Toprak and perhaps soon Bulega from WSBK, you risk impoverishing this championshipDucati plans to integrate Bulega into MotoGP from 2027, which will further accentuate the imbalance. »
Another sensitive point: the development philosophy. If Soil fails to adapt to Michelin, Yamaha will have to rely on its other drivers to guide the evolution of the machine. Fabio Quartararo, among others, would then bear the weight of development alone while waiting for the Pirelli of 2027.
« I am not against the project., Duncan specifies, but I remain skeptical. Toprak is a huge talent — in Superbike. There is no guarantee that he will be competitive in MotoGP. against references like Marc Marquez, Pecco Bagnaia, Fabio Quartararo or even Alex Marquez. It will take time, and he may not have much of it »
Another risk mentioned: injuries. The highly acrobatic style of Razgatlioglu, combined with poor adaptation to Michelin , could prove dangerous if he tries to push himself to the limit on a motorcycle he has not yet mastered.
What if the experiment is short-lived? Duncan does not rule out this hypothesis: " If Toprak doesn't perform in the second season, it might be the end of his MotoGP adventure. And that would be a waste »
Beyond doubts, the announcement creates immediate pressure on Pramac. We will have to make room for the Turkish pilot. Who will be sacrificed: Jack Miller ou Miguel Oliveira ? Maybe both. One thing is certain: the arrival of Razgatlioglu already upsets the balance of power. He also finds Yamaha , the team with which he won his Superbike title. But this time, the stakes are completely different, and the context much more ruthless.
