Toprak Razgatlioglu Wants To Join MotoGP - "Targeting Next Year"
Categories: MotoGP
Last year Toprak Rezgatlioglu missed the chance to move to MotoGP. The Turk is now planning to switch in 2024 and is open for talks.
In 2022 Toprak Razgatlioglu did not want to be distracted by possible contract talks with MotoGP teams and preferred to concentrate on winning the WSBK title.
After Yamaha had shown interest in getting him into MotoGP, however, they could not wait that long to sign a contract with the Turk for the premier class.
Razgatlioglu stayed in Superbike for another year. However, in 2023 he is now looking more than ever into joining a MotoGP team.
The 2022 WSBK World Champion’s contract expires in 2023, so Razagatlioglu is free to accept offers from all manufacturers.
In an interview with SPEEDWEEK.com, the Turk talks about his current plans and also reveals a self-imposed ultimatum.
“In 2021 I was Superbike world champion, now I’m looking at MotoGP. Why shouldn’t I try it there?”
“My contract with Yamaha ends after this season. Maybe I’ll re-sign with them, maybe I’ll go to another brand.”
“It’s still too early to say anything, there probably won’t be a decision until the middle of the year. I hope I can ride MotoGP next year.”
The first port of call for Razgatlioglu remains, of course, Yamaha. The contract with Franco Morbidelli, who failed to convince in the past season, only runs until the end of the season and the factory bike is the only the Turk reportedly wants to ride.
“As of today, they [Yamaha] have room for me in the factory team for next year. If that doesn’t work out, maybe we’ll look at other teams. But maybe I will stay in World Superbike.”
Last year, Razgatlioglu had already revealed he did not want to be in MotoGP for the sake of riding a GP bike. Only if he gets a competitive package would the Turk be willing to give it a go in MotoGP.
“My plan and my dream is that I fight for the MotoGP title – or podiums. I don’t want to just ride a GP bike.”
“I would be the first Turkish rider in MotoGP, but that is not important to me. What is important is that I can ride in the top three.”
Razgatlioglu’s stance towards the whole matter had already caused some discontent last year. After all, Yamaha [in MotoGP] did not necessarily show its best side in 2022.
Shouldn’t it work out this year, too, joining MotoGP would be done for the Turk once and for all. He would then want to focus on WSBK.
“If nothing comes of it in 2024, then the whole matter is over for me. Then I’ll stay in the World Superbike Championship.”
