MotoGP, Sportrik Media – Toprak Razgatlioglu’s long-time mentor and manager Kenan Sofuoglu openly declared that the three-time WorldSBK champion’s public debut at the Valencia post-season test (18/11/2025) did not yet display “our Toprak”. Finishing 18th and 1.3s off Raul Fernandez’s benchmark, Sofuoglu insists there remains a huge development margin.
The Prima Pramac Yamaha rider arrived after a reportedly difficult two-day private Aragon test. Valencia’s morning was hampered by a damp, patchy surface following overnight rain, with meaningful running only possible in the afternoon.
Nevertheless, Razgatlioglu emerged as the second-fastest Yamaha behind Fabio Quartararo, beating teammates Jack Miller and Alex Rins while riding just one new V4 prototype.
“Honestly, when you look at the lap time he’s around 1.5 seconds slower, but when I watch him I’m not watching like ‘our’ Toprak,” Sofuoglu told the MotoGP World Feed.
ADVERTISEMENT“He’s a bit scared because there are not many bikes at the moment, V4s, just one for Toprak. He is not pushing fully yet.”
This highlights Razgatlioglu’s ultra-cautious early approach, a stark contrast to the fearless late-braking style that defined his WorldSBK dominance.
Deeper analysis shows such conservatism is normal for a class rookie, especially with limited spares and the massive Pirelli-to-Michelin tyre shift. Sofuoglu remains convinced Toprak’s braking will translate spectacularly and “surprise a lot of people” in MotoGP.
Compared to other newcomers like Diogo Moreira in 21st, Razgatlioglu was comfortably the fastest rookie. Sofuoglu’s ambition is clear: make Toprak Yamaha’s undisputed number one in 2026, even ahead of Quartararo.
A further private test followed on 19 November focusing on front-end feel and rear grip via electronics. Still under BMW contract until year-end, Razgatlioglu is barred from direct comment, but Sofuoglu’s insight is telling: the “monster” version has yet to appear.
Yamaha’s 2026 prospects now look brighter. With a proven champion adapting fast and a new V4 engine, the Japanese marque has serious ammunition to disrupt Ducati’s reign – provided the real Toprak surfaces sooner rather than later.
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