Why 'special talent' Toprak Razgatlioglu has 'big challenge ahead of him' in MotoGP as he switches from Superbike World Championship
Published 22/11/2025 at 11:03 GMT
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One of the big stories ahead of the 2026 MotoGP season is Toprak Razgatlioglu's move from the Superbike World Championship. Razgatlioglu has excelled in WorldSBK with three title wins in the last five seasons. But how will he fare in MotoGP and what are the challenges for him? TNT Sports experts Neil Hodgson and Sylvain Guintoli have given their verdicts.
'If you do that, you'll face plant' - Razgatlioglu's biggest challenge in MotoGP
Video credit: TNT Sports
Neil Hodgdon has questioned whether Toprak Razgatlioglu has signed for the "wrong manufacturer" and could have his "key strength" taken away when he moves to MotoGP for 2026.
Razgatlioglu has spent most of his career riding in the Superbike World Championship and has won the title in three of the last five years.
But next season, he will pit his skills against Marc Marquez and co as he switches to MotoGP, riding for Prima Pramac Yamaha.
It is an intriguing move and will be fascinating to follow in 2026, but TNT Sports expert Hodgson has explained why it comes with challenges for Razgatlioglu.
"Sitting here now, he has signed for the wrong manufacturer, because as 2025 has ended, Yamaha are in a little bit of turmoil," said Hodgson on The Breakdown.
"They are developing the new V4 bike, but it’s not where it needs to be and is not as good as the Yamaha riders hoped it would be.
"Toprak has that to deal with, and his key strength is his super power into the braking zone. It’s the first part of it where he has this incredible talent to be really aggressive on the brake, almost going from flat out no brake to full brake, and he can control that period.
"If you do that with a Michelin front slick on a MotoGP bike, it will lock and you will faceplant.
"He needs to learn that and he knows that, but it is his No. 1 strength and you are going to take that away from him, and he’s on a Yamaha."
Michelin are the current supplier of front tyres in MotoGP until the end of the 2026 season, when Pirelli will take over.
Hodgson says the first season in MotoGP could be a developmental one for Razgatlioglu.
"We want him to be good, but it’s a building year for him to understand, learn the tracks and MotoGP in general.
"People that know him much better than me have said he is so talented and really adaptable and will figure it out."
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What is the biggest challenge for Toprak in MotoGP? Haines, Toseland on 'very difficult job’ ahead
Video credit: TNT Sports
Razgatlioglu follows riders including Cal Crutchlow, Ben Spies, Troy Bayliss, and Loris Baz in making the move from WorldSBK to MotoGP.
TNT Sports expert Sylvain Guintoli also rode in both championships and says Razgatlioglu is facing a "big challenge".
"What he has been able to do for the last few years, excelling on the Yamaha and Kawasaki, he is obviously a very special talent," he explained.
"But he has a big challenge ahead of him. Adapting to the MotoGP bike, the Michelin front tyre with his braking technique, this makes the difference in the braking zone, but can he do what he is doing in World Superbike right now? I doubt it.
"I think it will be a very difficult year for him and it will take a big adaptation, especially with the tyres."
You can watch the full episode of The Breakdown reflecting on the 2025 MotoGP season on TNT Sports 3 at 21:30 UK time on Saturday November 22.
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