Toprak Razgatlioglu explains why he left World Superbikes for a new challenge in MotoGP
Photo by Steve Wobser/Getty Images After winning multiple titles in World Superbikes, Toprak Razgatlioglu felt it was time for a new challenge and made the move to MotoGP. The Turkish rider had long been rumoured to be eyeing Grand Prix racing before finally making the jump in 2026. Razgatlioglu departed WSBK after back-to-back championships with Yamaha.
While he could have stayed to chase down Jonathan Rea’s record six titles, he chose to take on a new path instead. Though he finished his Superbike career with 78 wins, second only to Rea’s 120, Razgatlioglu believed there wasn’t much left for him to accomplish in that paddock. Toprak Razgatlioglu recalls the Social Media Push Behind His MotoGP Move Photo by Gold & Goose Photography/Getty Images In an interview with TNT Sports ahead of the United States GP, Razgatlioglu discussed his reasons for stepping up to MotoGP in 2026.
The timing raised a few eyebrows, given that the sport was set to go through some major changes in 2027. Pirelli was also due to replace Michelin as the sport’s tyre supplier the following year, and given his experience with Pirelli in World Superbikes, that move would have made a more logical transition point. But for Razgatlioglu, there was something missing even after all his achievements in Superbikes.
He also recognised how much fans were pushing for him to make the jump into MotoGP. “The last two years, we won very special titles with BMW,” he said. “After, I was thinking, ‘I need another challenge.
’ I’m winning races, this is really good for a rider, but sometimes I know Superbikes is not enough to me. ” “And also, everyone sent me the message when I shared pictures: ‘go to MotoGP. ’ When I’d post a picture of doing a stoppie and everyone writes: ‘go to MotoGP’.