Toprak Razgatlioglu, a Yamaha rider and current WorldSBK world champion, was in negotiations with MotoGP teams to make the leap to the premier class in 2023.
However, the departure of the RNF as a satellite team to Yamaha put an end to those plans, and Razgatlioglu opted to continue with series derivatives. However, the door to make the leap to MotoGP in 2024 is still open , and the Turk did not hide his interest in changing the championship at any time.
Speaking to Motorsport.com, Razgatlioglu reiterated his intention to seek a place in MotoGP , although he stressed that he would only do so with a factory team, and that he does not want to sign without guarantees of competitiveness “just to be there”.
In the absence of a tempting offer, the Turkish driver would have no qualms about staying in the WSBK , as Jonathan Rea did at the time. It is known by all that the Kawasaki had multiple offers to make the jump to MotoGP over the years, but he always remained faithful to his ZX-RR.
“I know the level in MotoGP is very high, but I love the Superbike paddock , I really feel at home,” said Razgatlioglu. “Maybe one day I will race in MotoGP, but on the condition that I have a factory bike.”
“If I go, my goal is to fight for the top positions. I don’t want to go there just to say ‘I’m a MotoGP rider’. I don’t like that, I don’t want to be there just to be there. If I can’t fight for the podium, I don’t I’m interested in MotoGP,” he stressed.
“It would be nice to be able to compete to win. But fighting for 10th place in MotoGP doesn’t interest me, I prefer to stay in Superbike. It’s better to win more titles in WSBK, like Jonathan Rea.”
Razgatlioglu had the opportunity to test the MotoGP Yamaha M1 earlier this year at Aragon, completing 40 laps in a day shortened by bad weather.
Despite having done only a few kilometres, he said that he had an idea of how he would have to adapt his driving style , should he make the leap to the grand prix in the future.
“I didn’t do many laps, just a couple of hours, and then it started to rain,” recalled the 25-year-old. “But in any case, I have ridden a MotoGP bike and I have been the first Turkish rider to do so.”
“It’s a very difficult bike, you have to adapt. For me the position is very strange, because it’s high and I don’t like it that way. I always go lower, and that’s my style. It wasn’t easy to ride like that, but it was just a test, and I enjoyed it”.
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