Jonathan Rea points to where Toprak Razgatlioglu needs to adapt, even after strong MotoGP start
Jonathan Rea believes Toprak Razgatlioglu’s main challenge in MotoGP this season is as much mental as it is mechanical. The two riders are familiar with each other from their days competing against each other in World Superbikes.
Photo by Gold & Goose Photography/Getty Images Jonathan Rea believes Toprak Razgatlioglu’s main challenge in MotoGP this season is as much mental as it is mechanical. The two riders are familiar with each other from their days competing against each other in World Superbikes. While Rea only made two appearances in MotoGP, Razgatlioglu has fully transitioned into the series and picked up his first point last weekend at the Grand Prix of the Americas.
He’s also currently leading teammate Jack Miller in both qualifying and race head-to-heads, and impressed Yamaha’s top rider Fabio Quartararo by beating him outright at COTA. Rea believes ‘mental management’ is key for Razgatlioglu in MotoGP transition Photo by Steve Wobser/Getty Images Speaking to GPOne, Rea emphasised that Razgatlioglu is an ‘extraordinary’ rider who can be ‘one of the best’ at Yamaha. Razgatlioglu struggled to look at the timing screens when he first started riding the M1, currently the slowest bike on the grid.
Accustomed to fighting for race wins, he’s now in a situation where P15 is a good result. Rea says that recalibration will be difficult and also pointed out that Razgatlioglu is facing huge ‘expectations’ after winning three WSBK titles. He was linked with MotoGP for years before finally taking the step.
“He’s an extraordinary talent,” said Rea. “I hope he can find the right confidence, because it’s crucial for him. He’s not used to being outside the top, so mental management will be important.