After 2022 Toprak Razgatlioglu seemingly had dismissed the idea of joining MotoGP in 2023. It appears that Razgatlioglu has renewed his interest in making the jump. In an interview with Speedweek.com Razgatlioglu discussed his willingness to leave WSBK for MotoGP if the situation works itself out. “My contract with Yamaha ends after this season,” said Toprak Razgatlioglu in theexclusive interview. “Maybe I’ll sign with them [Yamaha] 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. My plan and my dream is to fight for the MotoGP title – or for podiums. At Yamaha, as a Yamaha rider, I have the best chance. 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.”
Photo by Luckasz Swiderek / photoPSP.comHe continued, “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.”
Why not try?
Razgatlioglu is hopeful that Yamaha can produce a bike that taps into their recent success. Fabio Quartararo secured the 2021 World Title with Yamaha. The Razgatlioglu camp will want the opportunity to race a bike that can dominate the field. Razgatlioglu stated, “In 2021 I was Superbike World Champion, now I’m looking at MotoGP. Why shouldn’t I try it there?” Currently sitting in second place in the WSBK championship, Razgatlioglu will look to maximize his case for making the jump. There is one man who stands between him and the top spot. That man is Alvaro Bautista who will be looking to continue his dominance after a successful Barcelona Testing Weekend.