Pramac Yamaha MotoGP rider Toprak Razgatlioglu says he “started having fun” again in the last laps of the Spanish Grand Prix, even if he “didn’t enjoy myself”.

The three-time World Superbike rider returned to a familiar venue for the first time in his debut MotoGP season last weekend at Jerez.

However, he continued to struggle on the V4 Yamaha, while a collision with Lorenzo Savadori in the sprint earned him a long lap penalty for the grand prix.

He ultimately finished 19th, 44.5s from the win, with only Yamaha test rider Augusto Fernandez behind him.

Toprak Razgatlioglu battled an engine braking issue on the M1 all weekend, but did find some confidence on the bike in the closing stages of the grand prix.

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“The only problem I have is with the engine brake,” he said, as reported by GPOne.

“I’m talking strictly about the engine brake, and I need to find a solution. I’m tired. I didn’t enjoy myself today.

“The bike isn’t working as it should. I don’t feel comfortable on it, and it’s hard to ride.

“However, if we can find a good set-up, I’ll start enjoying the bike again.

“In the final laps, I started having fun once more, and that gives me confidence, because I was riding like the top riders, even though it was already too late.

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“I have the same problem at every race. We have to solve it, then we can focus on cornering the bike and rear traction.”

Razgatlioglu added: “It was the worst weekend since Thailand and Brazil, but I still learned something from this race.

“At the start, I couldn’t find my pace. With the new tyre, the bike wouldn’t stop, and we had the usual issue with engine braking.

“By the end of the race, though, the feelings improved, and I was even setting better lap times in the last five, six laps.

“The team and I analysed the first and last laps to understand the difference. The rear tyre obviously wears out, and I feel the bike locking up when braking.

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“But I’m starting to tap into the front tyre’s potential. Earlier, when I couldn’t brake effectively, the bike was locking up if I applied more brakes.

“But when the rear tyre wears out, the difference is significant.”

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