Carlos Checa rates Toprak Razgatlioglu’s MotoGP start higher than Fabio Quartararo’s
· Yahoo Sports
Razgatlioglu is drawing attention despite a challenging MotoGP start
Nobody expected Toprak Razgatlioglu to be a front-runner in his first MotoGP season, especially given the state of Yamaha’s bike this year. Even so, he’s managed to make people pay attention.
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He came into the paddock with plenty of hype, too. After securing a third world title in World Superbikes last season, there was a lot of curiosity about how he’d adapt to Grand Prix racing.
He hasn’t exactly hit the ground running in terms of results – his best finish so far is 15th – but there have still been moments that show why so many are excited about him.
Carlos Checa weighs in on Toprak Razgatlioglu’s start to MotoGP
Photo by Gold & Goose Photography/Getty ImagesSport caught up with MotoGP pundit Carlos Checa to get his take on what’s been the biggest challenge for Toprak Razgatlioglu during his first season in the Grand Prix paddock.
While Checa pointed out how impressive the 29-year-old has looked since stepping up, he also noted that he has joined Yamaha at a difficult period for the team.
He said, “I think Toprak has arrived at the worst possible time for Yamaha, and on top of that with the Michelins, when he’s used to the Pirellis.”
“If the bike performs better next year, and with the Pirellis he knows so well, I think he’ll be a bit better overall. However, I think that now, on circuits like Jerez or other slow tracks, they can probably hold their own better.”
“In fact, if we compare his performance with Miller, Rins and Fabio Quartararo, I think he’s doing brilliantly because he’s been right up there with them. So you could say his riding standard and potential are enormous.”
“The only thing is that right now the technical differences between manufacturers are huge and there’s no room to make up for those limitations.”
Why Toprak Razgatlioglu has been tipped to outperform Fabio Quartararo this season
Razgatlioglu made a statement in Austin, finishing ahead of his Yamaha teammates and taking home his first point in the premier class.
It was the kind of performance that’s led some to believe it won’t be long before he’s picking up more points.
Chaz Davies, who knows Razgatlioglu well from their time racing together in World Superbikes, has even suggested the Pramac rider could overtake Quartararo as Yamaha’s top performer this year.
If Razgatlioglu does manage to do that, it would be a significant achievement for someone still adapting to the series. With Quartararo set to leave for Honda at the end of 2026, continued strong results could put him in line for a factory seat just as MotoGP enters its new regulatory era.
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