Prior to the move to MotoGP in 2025, the “difficult work” of current WorldSBK champion Toprak Razgatlioglu was identified.
The Turkish rider was in the World BK Paddock since the mid-2010s when he finally moved to the Superbottom class and in 2018.
He rides three brands: Yamaha, Yamaha and now BMW’s world brand, but has limited racing experience outside the Production Derivative Paddock.
That means there’s something to learn for him, including some of the tracks he’s never raced before, including bikes, Pramac Yamaha team, Red Bull Ring, Saxon Ring, Silverstone, and more.
For James Toseland, a TNT Sports WorldSBK commentator and former MotoGP and World Superbike Rider, learning the circuit where Grand Prix riders already have a lot of experience is a special challenge for Toprak Razgatlioglu.
“The 10 circuits that Toprak (Razgatlioglu) goes to are things he’s never seen before, something he’s never seen before.
“That’s what these 45-minute practice sessions will be (quickly).
“It’s a very difficult task to speed up alongside Mark Marquez, who has been working on these tracks for the past 15 years, and the rest of the field, including the MotoGP champions (these circuits).”
However, Toseland added that Razgatlioglu is currently at the level where he needs to be in MotoGP.
“He deserves to go to Motogp. He’s beyond this (Worldsbk) paddock.
“He developed the skill of having to participate in the elite class of elite bikes.
“He needs a motorcycle that is faster and faster than a production bike and can travel around the track.
“His skills as a rider are currently on top of the production bike. He needs to be tested on the fastest bike in the world, the MotoGP bike.”