Toprak “very close” to other Yamahas, stops "trying to turn MotoGP into a Superbike”

Part of Toprak Razgatlioglu’s progress during the Thai MotoGP season opener came after accepting that the M1 cannot be ‘turned into a Superbike’, according to Yamaha’s Paolo Pavesio.

The reigning WorldSBK champion spent much of winter testing trying to replicate his ultra-successful Superbike set-up on the MotoGP prototype.

While Razgatlioglu kept his traditional strength under braking, he struggled with corner speed and wheelspin on the V4.

The ‘Superbike’ set-up also caused technical issues, such as the need to remove rear aero to stay within the height regulations.

However, the rear aero was back for good at the Buriram race weekend, with Pavesio confirming that Razgatlioglu realised, “there are things he should not compromise.”

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Yamaha MotoGP race times in 2026 Thai MotoGP, plus winner Marco Bezzecchi.

Toprak “very close to the other Yamaha riders”

Razgatlioglu finished his first grand prix outside of the points in 17th but was ahead of Pramac team-mate Jack Miller and matched the pace of factory riders Fabio Quartararo and Alex Rins during the middle stages.

“I think Toprak did a very good job,” said Pavesio, managing director of Yamaha Racing.

“He had to learn. During the winter, he tried – if I can say it like this – to turn the MotoGP into a Superbike, to feel comfortable.

“Then he understood that a MotoGP is a MotoGP, and there are things he should not compromise.

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“I’m happy because he could ride very close to the other Yamaha riders [in the Thai GP], which for him is the benchmark.”

Speaking separately to MotoGP.com, Pavesio explained why Yamaha hadn’t insisted on Razgatlioglu using a conventional set-up from the start:

“After so many years, being so successful in SBK, I think he was looking for how he could make the MotoGP closer to a Superbike.

“We’ve supported him because we thought it was correct for him to have that opportunity.

“And finally, as you could see, he had the [rear aero] back, and the handlebars are becoming more normal.

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“He’s learning that to ride in MotoGP, you need to do certain things in a way the other 21 riders are doing.

“But it’s part of the journey.

“I’m happy because he’s got it himself and we’re helping him a lot with all the people around him – Giribuola [crew chief] and Dovi as well.”

Toprak Razgatlioglu, Jack Miller 2026 Thai MotoGP.

Lorenzo: A MotoGP bike “needs a lot of corner speed”

Triple MotoGP champion Jorge Lorenzo – watching trackside in his role as performance coach for Maverick Vinales – spotted that Razgatlioglu’s ‘Superbike-style’ approach wasn’t working during the final pre-season test at Buriram.

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“It’s difficult for Toprak because he’s spent all his life on street bikes, which are completely different to a MotoGP,” Lorenzo told Crash.net.

“A prototype bike is super stiff and needs to carry a lot of corner speed.

“He’s trying to ride, as I see in the corners, like a Superbike: Braking so hard, moving the bike, making a ‘V’ line [stop and go]. Super extreme.”

Toprak Razgatlioglu, without rear aero, at the 2026 Buriram MotoGP test.

After the Thai GP, Razgatlioglu got some bonus MotoGP mileage when he took advantage of Yamaha’s concession status to join last week’s private Jerez test.

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The Pramac rider will be back in official action during practice at round two in Goiania, Brazil – a new circuit for all the MotoGP grid – on Friday morning.

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Toprak “very close” to other Yamahas, stops “trying to turn MotoGP into a Superbike”

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