Double World Superbike Champion Toprak Razgatlioglu has made a bold statement that stirred up the racing world. The Turkish rider believes that most MotoGP riders would struggle to compete in World Superbike (WSBK) — unless they were riding a Ducati.
The superstar from Turkey recently signed a long-term deal with Yamaha to join the Pramac Racing Team in MotoGP 2026, marking a major step in his career after dominating the Superbike scene.
Toprak admitted that his first MotoGP season will be tough since he’ll have to adapt to Michelin tires instead of Pirelli, which he’s been using for years in WSBK. Still, he sees this as a valuable learning year rather than a pressure-filled debut.
“2026 will be the most difficult year of my career. MotoGP and Superbike are two completely different worlds. I might finish in the top 10, maybe even top 15,” Toprak told GPOne.
“I see that season as a year of learning — to get to know the bike, adapt, and grow without any big expectations.”
Toprak is also aware that if he doesn’t perform well in MotoGP, many people will quickly look down on World Superbike. But he didn’t hesitate to fire back with a strong opinion about MotoGP riders.
“If I don’t do well, people will say Superbike isn’t at MotoGP’s level. But honestly, I think MotoGP riders would also struggle to race in Superbike without a Ducati,” he said confidently.
There’s some truth behind his words. As of the final round of the 2025 World Superbike season, Toprak leads Ducati’s Nicolo Bulega by 39 points while riding a BMW, showing how competitive he’s been despite not using Ducati machinery.
Toprak has also been critical of current regulations, which he feels give Ducati too much of an advantage compared to other bikes like BMW and Yamaha.
Interestingly, Miguel Oliveira — the rider whose MotoGP seat Toprak will take at Pramac — is set to replace him at BMW next season. Oliveira will team up with Danilo Petrucci, who’s switching over from Ducati.
Meanwhile, the next-best BMW rider this season, Michael van der Mark, sits only 12th in the standings — proving just how exceptional Toprak’s performance has been.
Toprak Razgatlioglu’s move to MotoGP is shaping up to be one of the most exciting storylines in motorcycle racing. While he acknowledges the challenge ahead, his fearless attitude and sharp remarks about MotoGP riders “needing Ducati” make fans even more eager to see how he’ll perform when he finally lines up on the MotoGP grid in 2026.
