Toprak Razgatlioglu's recent MotoGP test has ignited a firestorm of speculation: Can the World Superbike star truly adapt his aggressive riding style to the premier class? Augusto Fernandez, Yamaha's MotoGP test rider, offers some intriguing insights, suggesting Razgatlioglu will need to drastically change his braking technique. But here's where it gets controversial... Fernandez believes Toprak possesses the raw talent to make it work, even if it means reinventing his signature braking style.
Razgatlioglu's highly anticipated MotoGP test in Aragon on November 9-10 was, by all accounts, “a very positive first day,” according to Fernandez. However, Fernandez, who was also testing new components for Yamaha's V4 engine, which he'll be racing in Valencia this weekend (November 14-16), noted a key difference: “He will not brake like in Superbike.” This statement raises a crucial question: Can Razgatlioglu maintain his competitive edge without relying on his trademark late-braking maneuvers?
Fernandez elaborated on this point during a press conference in Valencia on November 13th. “What is sure is that his strongest point is braking,” he stated. “But he will not brake like in Superbike, but the talent he has on braking is incredible, so he will manage to be fast in braking – in another way. But he knows how to be fast in braking.” In essence, Razgatlioglu's natural ability to brake late and hard remains a valuable asset, but he'll need to adapt his technique to the nuances of a MotoGP machine. He'll need to rely on feel, finesse and a new understanding of the tires.
And this is the part most people miss... According to Fernandez, the biggest hurdle for Razgatlioglu isn't the bike itself, but understanding the Michelin tires used in MotoGP – a sentiment Fernandez deeply understands from his own Superbike testing experiences earlier in the year. He explains, “He was just happy about the test, trying to understand the Michelins – more than the bike was the Michelins, for him…I can totally understand that…for sure the tyres is the main point to adapt, the front especially.” This highlights a significant difference between World Superbike and MotoGP: the tires. MotoGP bikes use bespoke Michelin tires designed for maximum performance, while Superbikes often use production-based tires. Mastering these specialized tires is crucial for success in MotoGP.
Overall, Fernandez viewed Razgatlioglu's first test as “positive.” While his lap times were slower compared to the MotoGP race held earlier in the year, this was also true for Fernandez and Aleix Espargaro, the HRC development rider who also participated in the Aragon test. “Honestly, I think it was a very positive first day for him,” Fernandez explained. “I could see also his data during the lap and how he was riding the bike, and I was surprised in a good way…But we know he is super-talented, we cannot discuss the talent of Toprak…But MotoGP is different, how you have to ride a MotoGP is different.”
He further clarified that the slower lap times were expected due to testing conditions: “For sure, the lap times in Aragon were slow, also for us – Aleix [Espargaro] and I were there and we were slow compared to the race weekend, but testing is different conditions. But he was not far, and especially the riding was not bad. We will see here with everyone on-track and also another circuit, but it was not bad.” This emphasizes that judging performance based solely on lap times during testing can be misleading due to varying track conditions, tire allocations, and testing objectives.
Adding his perspective, Aleix Espargaro echoed Fernandez's positive assessment of Razgatlioglu's test and personality. “With Toprak, the thing is that I never talked with him before and I have a bit of a wrong image because he is a very hard rider on-track,” Espargaro said in Valencia. “But he was very kind, very good guy; I talked with him in the hotel, very nice guy, it really surprised me…I saw him on-track and the only thing I can say is that the conditions were super-difficult because we had 14C or 15C of track temperature – I was not able to lean in corner two and he was I would say quite fast…I think Yamaha did a good move with him.” Espargaro's comments highlight the challenging conditions during the test and suggest that Razgatlioglu adapted well, despite the low track temperatures that limited grip.
So, the burning question remains: Can Toprak Razgatlioglu successfully transition his aggressive Superbike style to the demanding world of MotoGP, adapting his braking technique and mastering the unique characteristics of Michelin tires? Some argue that his raw talent will shine through, while others believe the differences between the two championships are too significant to overcome. What do you think? Will Toprak’s aggressive style translate to MotoGP success, or will he need to completely reinvent himself? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
