While Razgatlioglu kept his traditional strength under braking, he struggled with corner speed and wheelspin on the V4.<\/p>\n
The ‘Superbike’ set-up also caused technical issues, such as the need to remove rear aero to stay within the height regulations.<\/p>\n
However, the rear aero was back for good at the Buriram race weekend, with Pavesio confirming that Razgatlioglu realised, \u201cthere are things he should not compromise.”<\/p>\n
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![\"Yamaha](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/1-yamahas-2026-thai-motogp.png\")
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Yamaha MotoGP race times in 2026 Thai MotoGP, plus winner Marco Bezzecchi.<\/p>\n
\u00a9\u00a0Peter McLaren<\/p>\n
Toprak \u201cvery close to the other Yamaha riders\u201d<\/p>\n
Razgatlioglu <\/a>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.<\/p>\n \u201cI think Toprak did a very good job,\u201d said Pavesio, managing director of Yamaha Racing.<\/p>\n \u201cHe 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.<\/p>\n \u201cThen he understood that a MotoGP is a MotoGP, and there are things he should not compromise.<\/p>\n Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT<\/p>\n Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT<\/p>\n \u201cI’m happy because he could ride very close to the other Yamaha riders [in the Thai GP], which for him is the benchmark.\u201d<\/p>\n Speaking separately to MotoGP.com, Pavesio explained why Yamaha hadn’t insisted on Razgatlioglu using a conventional set-up from the start:<\/p>\n “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.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve supported him because we thought it was correct for him to have that opportunity.\u00a0<\/p>\n “And finally, as you could see, he had the [rear aero] back, and the handlebars are becoming more normal.\u00a0<\/p>\n Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT<\/p>\n Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT<\/p>\n “He\u2019s learning that to ride in MotoGP, you need to do certain things in a way the other 21 riders are doing.\u00a0<\/p>\n “But it\u2019s part of the journey.<\/p>\n “I\u2019m happy because he\u2019s got it himself and we\u2019re helping him a lot with all the people around him – Giribuola [crew chief] and Dovi as well.”<\/p>\n Toprak Razgatlioglu, Jack Miller 2026 Thai MotoGP.<\/p>\n \u00a9\u00a0Gold and Goose<\/p>\n Lorenzo: A MotoGP bike \u201cneeds a lot of corner speed\u201d<\/p>\n Triple MotoGP champion Jorge Lorenzo<\/a> – watching trackside in his role as performance coach for Maverick Vinales – spotted that Razgatlioglu\u2019s \u2018Superbike-style\u2019 approach wasn\u2019t working during the final pre-season test at Buriram.<\/p>\n Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT<\/p>\n Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s difficult for Toprak because he\u2019s spent all his life on street bikes, which are completely different to a MotoGP,\u201d Lorenzo told Crash.net<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cA prototype bike is super stiff and needs to carry a lot of corner speed.<\/p>\n \u201cHe’s trying to ride, as I see in the corners, like a Superbike: Braking so hard, moving the bike, making a \u2018V\u2019 line \u00a0[stop and go]. Super extreme.\u201d<\/p>\n Toprak Razgatlioglu, without rear aero, at the 2026 Buriram MotoGP test.<\/p>\n \u00a9\u00a0Gold and Goose<\/p>\n![\"Toprak](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/gng_1296288_hires_1600x900.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Toprak](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/razgatlioglu-test.jpg\")
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