Toprak Razgatlioglu Faces a Steep Learning Curve in MotoGP
Since joining the MotoGP ranks, Toprak Razgatlioglu has shown an impressive rate of progress. The Turkish rider has already scored points multiple times, demonstrating his ability to compete with more experienced riders like Álex Rins and Jack Miller, even with a Yamaha that isn’t the most potent on the grid. His benchmark, Fabio Quartararo, serves as a constant inspiration, with his data being meticulously studied to shave off every possible tenth of a second.
However, after six Grands Prix, one persistent issue remains: qualifying. With the exception of the Brazilian Grand Prix, where rain offered a lifeline by placing him 12th on the grid, Razgatlioglu’s average starting position is a disappointing 19.2. This back-of-the-pack starting point makes charging through the field exceptionally difficult, preventing him from contending for top positions.
The Soft Tire Enigma for the WSBK Champion
One of the fundamental differences between MotoGP and World Superbike lies in tire management. Accustomed to the Pirelli tires of WSBK, Toprak Razgatlioglu is now grappling with Michelin’s MotoGP compounds, particularly the soft tire crucial for qualifying and sprint races. Following testing in Barcelona, he admits to struggling to extract its full potential, despite notable improvements with the medium tire.
“I’m happy because we’ve made a lot of progress, especially with the medium tire,” the Pramac Racing rider commented after the test session. “We took a big step forward, particularly on corner entry, and I feel the bike turns a bit better. Acceleration is also easier because, given that the bike turns
, I can stand it up earlier.”
Yet, the lap times achieved in qualifying trim remain frustrating. “I was doing consistent laps, around 1:40.0-1:40.1, on the medium tire while riding alone. I wasn’t following anyone, otherwise, I might have done a 1:39.7 perhaps. But when I put on the soft tire to set a better time, I was doing the same times,” he lamented.
Will Superbike Habits Hurt His Qualifying Efforts?
The Turkish rider identifies a major hurdle: his muscle memory, still ingrained from his dominant Superbike years. The riding style required for the soft Michelin tire, which favors corner speed and smooth throttle application, contrasts with his former approach. “When I put on the soft tire, my mindset immediately shifts, and I ride in a more Superbike-like style,” he admits. “I’m always looking for grip on corner exit. With the Michelin tires, you need corner speed and to open the throttle gently, but I ride the opposite way: I turn, stand the bike up, and open the throttle harder because I’m trying to gain acceleration.”
This behavioral mismatch comes at a high cost in qualifying. “I need to change my riding style a bit for the soft tire because it’s very important in qualifying. If you set a good time, you start at the front and stay with the leading group. But if you start from behind, it’s not easy to move up. It’s very difficult, and I understood that this weekend too,” he noted.
Extracting maximum performance from the soft tire remains a challenge for the Turkish rider.
A Costly but Necessary Learning Process
Despite these difficulties, Toprak Razgatlioglu remains focused on his goals. He is satisfied with his performances on the medium tire, which allow him to stay competitive with other Yamahas. However, improving with the soft tire is imperative if he hopes to contend for top positions. “We need to improve with the soft tire because qualifying is very important. We need to start further up front,” insists the rider, whose average starting position often relegates him to the sixth or seventh row.
He closely observes Fabio Quartararo, a master of the soft tire’s one-lap pace, who manages to maintain that performance level in races by being in the leading group. “I need to learn the riding style for the soft tire. Sometimes, I forget to maintain speed in the corners with the soft tire. With the medium, everything is fine, but with the soft, it’s difficult,” Razgatlioglu acknowledges.
Mugello Target: Confirming Progress on a Demanding Circuit
The upcoming event at Mugello promises to be a true test for Toprak Razgatlioglu. This circuit, renowned for its fast corners and changes of direction, will demand high cornering speeds, an area where the Turkish rider hopes to finally exploit the soft tires to their fullest. “I hope to maintain this performance at Mugello because you need good corner speed on this track. There aren’t big braking zones; you just need corner speed,” he analyzes.
He doesn’t rule out closer collaboration with Fabio Quartararo to unlock this final piece of the puzzle. “Fabio is always very strong there. I’ll have to follow him from the first session… Maybe we should make a deal!” he jokes, leaving open the possibility of an alliance to crack the MotoGP qualifying code.
Key Takeaways from Toprak Razgatlioglu’s Struggles
- The Qualifying Challenge: Toprak Razgatlioglu’s main difficulty lies in his average starting position, often far from the top 10.
- Adapting to MotoGP Tires: The switch from Pirellis to Michelins, and particularly extracting performance from the soft tire, presents a problem.
- Superbike Muscle Memory: His riding style, inherited from WorldSBK, struggles to adapt to the demands of the soft MotoGP tire.
- Importance of Corner Speed: The rider needs to learn to maintain high speeds through corners on the soft tire, an area where he excels on the medium.
- An Ongoing Learning Process: Despite his difficulties, Razgatlioglu is progressing and actively seeking solutions, including observing his competitors.
- Mugello Objective: The next Grand Prix will be a key indicator of his ability to apply the lessons learned in qualifying.
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