Melandri «advises» Razgatlioglu: ‘He would lose his mind in MotoGP with Honda; I would wait for the change from Michelin to Pirelli’

Melandri «advises» Razgatlioglu: ‘He would lose his mind in MotoGP with Honda; I would wait for the change from Michelin to Pirelli’

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Marco Melandri knows MotoGP and WSBK very well, and given Toprak Razgatlioglu’s interest in trying the highest category of motorcycling, he made some considerations in the form of a “tip”.
The Italian, who knows like few others what it’s like to be part of the grid from one category to another [he was in MotoGP from 2003 to 2010], and then in WSBK [from 2011 to 2014], then returning to MotoGP for a year [2015], only to later return to Superbikes again, and when looking at Razgatlioglu’s expressed desire to move to the premier class, he made a suggestion, in words to GPone: ‘If he wants to go to MotoGP he has to do it with a competitive bike because I would lose my mind with a Honda’.
Honda emerged as a possibility for the Turk, with him even expressing his desire to ride with the manufacturer, but with Melandri advising against the Turk.
The Italian, in fact, suggested another change, which could help Razgatlioglu a lot in this transition and adaptation: the tyres.
‘If I were him, I would wait for the switch from Michelin to Pirelli in MotoGP. The difference between a Superbike and a Moto GP is not that big, but the behavior of the tyres changes a lot. Because Michelins are very different from Pirellis’, said Melandri, before concluding:
– Toprak must therefore spend a lot of time learning about tires and adapting them accordingly. In my opinion it would be easier if Pirelli entered MotoGP instead of Michelin. I heard about this possibility linked to changing tyres and for Toprak it would certainly be less complicated.

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Toprak Razgatlioglu on MotoGP: ‘If I don’t have a good contract and a factory bike, why should I go?’

Toprak Razgatlioglu on MotoGP: ‘If I don’t have a good contract and a factory bike, why should I go?’

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In recent weeks, rumors have surfaced about Toprak Razgatlioglu potentially moving to MotoGP in 2025 or 2026. For now, the rider is entirely focused on the World Superbike Championship (WSBK) and his seat with ROKiT BMW, not wanting to transition to the premier class at any cost.
Before the Donington Park round, the Turk made this clear in an interview with GPOne.com, emphasizing that he needs competitive conditions to make that move: ‘Kenan [Sofuoglu] manages my situation and we’ve talked about it. The question I ask myself, however, is this: if I don’t have a good contract and a factory bike, why should I go to MotoGP? I don’t want to go to MotoGP just because I’m the first Turk in history, to make up the numbers or just to see my name printed’.
Razgatlioglu is also aware that the adaptation wouldn’t be easy, and if he has to go through those struggles, the goal must be to fight for good results:
– Among other things, I know very well that initially, I would struggle and I would also be willing to face that, but not to fight for positions at the back of the grid. If I have to struggle, it should be to fight for top positions, not for the last places. In fact, we must remember that SBK and MotoGP are completely different. I feel a family atmosphere in this paddock and I’m happy to compete here.
In 2025, the current WSBK leader has clear plans, which include staying where he is, as he highlighted: ‘I would like to say that next year I will continue competing in Superbikes with BMW. I know that in recent weeks there has been a lot of talk about MotoGP, but we will talk about this again in 2026 and it’s not even certain that it will happen. Now I have to forget about MotoGP and stay focused on Superbikes, because we are first in the World Championship and this is incredible for BMW. Together we are doing something fantastic and I hope we become world champions’.

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Toprak Razgatlioglu responds to MotoGP rumours: “I’ll stay with BMW for 2025” | World Superbikes

Toprak Razgatlioglu responds to MotoGP rumours: “I’ll stay with BMW for 2025” | World Superbikes

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Toprak Razgatlioglu will be staying in WorldSBK next season despite talks with MotoGP teams.The championship leader has a contract with BMW and will honour his current deal with the German manufacturer.“After Misano, I saw many news stories about MotoGP,” began the 2021 Superbike champion. “We are talking to some MotoGP teams, but people don’t understand that if BMW say, ‘Toprak, for next year, it’s possible you go to MotoGP’, we say it’s possible.“I have one more year left with BMW. If they don’t say this, I’m staying with BMW because I’m very happy. I have one year left on my contract and I’ll stay here for 2025.“We’ll see for 2026 because we are still in contact with teams. This year is more important, I’m not focused on the MotoGP side.”Razgatlioglu will be staying with BMW alongside Michael Van Der Mark, after the Dutch rider signed a new deal.Speaking about the continuity at BMW, Razgatlioglu said: “I’m very happy with Mickey, he’s a good guy. He’s getting better after the big injuries. He’s pushing hard, especially in testing; thanks for helping because he’s always trying new parts!”In terms of himself, Razgatlioglu is hoping to secure a second consecutive WorldSBK treble after winning all three races in Misano.This weekend’s round at Donington Park is one that should suit the BMW rider, as he’s dominated at the British circuit in previous years.But Razgatlioglu will have to do so at less than 100%, following a training accident recently.Razgatlioglu said: “I’m feeling better, I’m very lucky and happy that nothing’s broken. I feel a bit of pain but when I start to ride the bike, I don’t think I’ll feel it.“When it gets warmer, I feel better. My foot is moving and it’s easy to walk. It’s not easy to move in some areas but it’s enough for this weekend.“When I crashed, I felt a lot of pain in my foot and immediately I started to get it checked out as I needed to understand if it was broken or not. I’m feeling normal; not 100% but 99%.“A hat-trick is my goal. This track is my favourite track but it’s my first time here with BMW. I like this circuit and my bike is getting better every weekend.”

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WSBK, Donington: Toprak Razgatlioglu finds BMW which thwarted his ambitions in MotoGP

WSBK, Donington: Toprak Razgatlioglu finds BMW which thwarted his ambitions in MotoGP

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BMW spearhead Toprak Razgatlioglu marked a historic turning point for his team in the fourth round of the season at Misano Adriatico. Thanks to a series of exceptional performances, he managed to take not only pole position, but also three consecutive victories, thus securing the lead in the overall standings of the Superbike World Championship for the first time this year. Everything would be fine in the best of all possible worlds if it hadn’t been for this communication insisting on its desire to join MotoGP from 2025, which didn’t make BMW smile…
The winning streak of Razgatlioglu started with an impressive pole position followed by victory in the first race on Saturday. He then continued his rise by winning the Superpole race on Sunday morning, before concluding the weekend with another victory in the second main race. This historic hat-trick represents
a first for BMW in the championship and place Toprak Razgatlioglu at the top of the general classification, with a lead of 21
points on
Nicholas Bulega from the Aruba.it Ducati team.
Marc Bongers, the sports director of
BMW, did not hide his enthusiasm for the performances of Razgatlioglu : ” Misano’s performance will never be forgotten. We want to continue this momentum at Donington Park and also at Most a week later. We have already celebrated significant successes at Donington Park and we are confident that our strong package will work well here again this year. The objective is clear: defend the lead in the Drivers’ Championship and progress to the Constructors’ Championship thanks to a strong team performance »

Toprak Razgatlioglu: “ Donington is my favorite track, I’m fully ready for the race weekend »
To Razgatlioglu, Donington Park represents an opportunity to confirm its domination: “ Donington is my favorite track. Last year I had a lot of difficulties with the Yamaha, but this year it will be completely different because I am now riding the BMW. The bike is stronger both on straights and in corners. I’m adapting better and better. We’re not 100% yet, but we’re improving every race weekend. The recent victories at Misano in particular have shown that I was getting stronger »
Optimistic but realistic, Razgatlioglu remains focused on the future: “ I will do my best, like I did in Misano, and I hope we win again. Normally I’m very strong on this track, but we’ll see how it goes with the BMW M1000RR because it’s the first time I’m riding there with. The team continues to work hard and does not stop ». Then the Turk reassures about his state of health, after his injury contracted in training: « I work everyday, I go to the gym and on the track, I ride my bike and I train intensively. I’m fully ready for the race weekend »
With high expectations and high morale,
Razgatlioglu and the team BMW are preparing to face Donington Park with the hope of consolidating their position as leader of the championship WSBK. Which would conveniently make us forget the MotoGP parenthesis…

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Luca Marini rejects idea of Toprak Razgatlioglu joining Honda | MotoGP

Luca Marini rejects idea of Toprak Razgatlioglu joining Honda | MotoGP

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Luca Marini, currently in the first year of a two-year Repsol Honda deal, has emphasised that he “gets along very well with Joan Mir. He’s a nice person, and I hope he stays at the team” for MotoGP 2025.Despite another frustrating season, 2020 world champion Mir insists his priority is to remain at the factory Honda squad, although a contract extension is yet to be announced.But if Mir and Honda fail to reach an agreement, Marini thinks it would be better to sign a rider with proven MotoGP experience rather than pursue WorldSBK star Toprak Razgatlioglu.Razgatlioglu has impressed the motorcycle world by putting BMW into the Superbike championship lead in his debut season with the brand, reigniting rumours of a MotoGP move.With manager Kenan Sofuoglu frequently making clear it would only be with a factory MotoGP team, Honda would be the last remaining chance for 2025, with the European teams full and Alex Rins expected to be renewed at Monster Yamaha.But Sofuoglu has played down the chances of a Razgatlioglu MotoGP move for next season and Marini feels that Honda, currently bottom-of-the-constructors’ standings, would be better served by an experienced rider if Mir leaves.“I say no!” Marini told GPone.com when asked bout Razgatlioglu and Honda. “If a rider has to come it would be interesting to have one from Aprilia or KTM, who would bring some more knowledge. “I could be an example [of that] coming from Ducati. Having said that, should a new rider come, he has to be technical, able to share information, and give feedback in the right way that’s understood.”Jack Miller and Miguel Oliveira are among the experienced KTM/Aprilia riders still to be confirmed for 2025.

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Yamaha are asked: “Why not approach Toprak Razgatlioglu?” | MotoGP

Yamaha are asked: “Why not approach Toprak Razgatlioglu?” | MotoGP

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Yamaha should sign Toprak Razgatlioglu to add “someone special”, they have been told.The addition of a satellite team, Pramac, to the structure of the Japanese manufacturer next season has shifted the MotoGP landscape.World Superbikes championship leader Razgatlioglu had claimed he wanted to switch series for 2025 before a U-turn, insisting he wouldn’t break his BMW contract.“I find it really interesting,” TNT Sports’ Neil Hodgson said.“I was at the Superbikes Misano round, I manage Alex Lowes so I’m across what is happening.“When you stand at the side of the track and watch Toprak, he’s even more impressive. He dominated that weekend.“The other BMW riders, who are top riders, were nowhere near.“We are all aware that Toprak is a special talent.“If you are Yamaha with four full factory bikes next year, or Honda with four bikes, and you’ve got experienced riders but you need someone special? Why not approach Toprak?”He said last weekend at Assen: “If I’m Yamaha I’d be interested in getting Toprak because I’d want someone special, where the rider can make a difference.“Toprak can make a difference. It sounds like he’s had an approach from Honda…”It since appears that Joan Mir will re-sign with Honda, alongside the contracted Luca Marini. Johann Zarco is tied to LCR Honda, but Takaaki Nakagami’s future is undecided.Razgatlioglu’s insistence that he would swap WSBK for MotoGP in 2025 has dampened due to the lack of factory bikes on offer.Last year he tested Yamaha’s MotoGP bike but it wasn’t enough to prompt them to immediately bring him over.Instead, Razgatlioglu split with Yamaha’s WSBK project and joined BMW where he has emerged as a threat for the championship again.But he remains an intriguing option for any MotoGP brave enough to back his ability to quickly adapt to a different machine.

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WSBK Toprak Razgatlioglu insists: “I am aware that BMW is not happy but for my career it is better that I go to MotoGP as soon as possible”

WSBK Toprak Razgatlioglu insists: “I am aware that BMW is not happy but for my career it is better that I go to MotoGP as soon as possible”

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Toprak Razgatlioglu is exploring his options to move to MotoGP, but his choices are narrowing. Notably, the Pramac team has clearly expressed its disinterest in him, preferring his WSBK competitor, Andrea Iannone. However, Toprak is persisting and repositioning himself in the MotoGP transfer market as the German Grand Prix prepares to get underway at the Sachsenring. He knows his current employer, BMW, might be exasperated by this move, but he hopes to gain their understanding eventually.
Toprak Razgatlioglu is a star in WSBK, but he prefers to embark on the MotoGP adventure as a beginner, rather than remaining the favorite in a category reserved for motorcycles from the series. In an interview on
GP One, he declares : ” I always make decisions with Kenan Sofuoglu. As many people know, I started thinking about MotoGP. Over time, we will see if it will be possible this year or in 2026. There are teams that I meet and talk with »

Toprak Razgatlioglu: “ within a week the situation with MotoGP will be clear »
Although he does not mention the teams in question, he specifies: “ we want to go next year, if not, we will try again for 2026. Within a week the situation will be clear. I am aware that BMW is not happy and I can understand why. But for my career it is better that I go to MotoGP as soon as possible »
Toprak is keen to join MotoGP, but he will have to take into account the opinion of
BMW. Above all, he will have to evaluate the valid and concrete possibilities that exist, because the places available in the Grand Prix seem more and more restricted.

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