Carlo Pernat says that Toprak Razgatlioglu's MotoGP move is wrong timing
Toprak Razgatlioglu arguably has one of the most colorful careers in the FIM Superbike World Championship (WSBK). This 28-year-old rider, who hails from Alanya, Turkey, is a two-time WSBK champion, including the one that ended Jonathan Rea’s 6-year reign in 2021. A few months ago, Toprak confirmed that he will be moving to MotoGP, riding for the Pramac Yamaha team in 2026.
This move, however, is a “mistake,” according to veteran MotoGP rider manager, Carlo Pernat.
In a recent report from Crash.net, reigning WSBK champion Toprak Razgatlioglu’s planned move to MotoGP in 2026 may be a strategic misstep. Pernat argues that the timing of Razgatlioglu’s jump to the Pramac Yamaha team is questionable, raising concerns about the level of support and machinery he will receive.
Pernat believes that Razgatlioglu should have delayed his arrival by a year, which would have put him in a better position to receive a more competitive bike. The timing is further complicated by the fact that MotoGP is set to switch from Michelin to Pirelli tires in 2027, the very brand that Razgatlioglu has already mastered in WSBK.
This means he will have only a single season to adapt to the Michelin tires before the entire paddock moves to a brand he is already familiar with.
The news also sheds light on Yamaha’s current struggles in MotoGP. The manufacturer was reportedly dedicating its resources to developing a new V4 engine, which will make its race debut at the San Marino MotoGP. While this is a significant step, the company’s focus on future development has seemingly left its current star rider, Fabio Quartararo, unmotivated.
“Yamaha is trudging along…They’re now working on the V4 engine, leaving aside the development of the current engine, which is now at the end of its run. And Quartararo, not surprisingly, he seems to have lost his motivation,” said Pernat.
