Pramac Yamaha crew chief Alberto Giribuola has praised Toprak Razgatlioglu for his aggressive riding style and rapid adaptability as the Turkish rider continues his transition into MotoGP during the 2026 season.
Razgatlioglu, a three-time World Superbike champion, is adjusting to Michelin tires and refining his riding technique.
Although he has not yet cracked the top 10 this season, he secured an 11th-place finish in Hungary.
Giribuola compared Razgatlioglu to 15-time MotoGP race winner Andrea Dovizioso, noting that both are exceptional late brakers.
However, he emphasized that Razgatlioglu is more versatile across different track sectors.
“He is in the group of late brakers, just like Dovi,” Giribuola said. “But Dovi was much more sector-dependent.
For instance, despite being really good at late braking, he struggled significantly in some high-speed sections like Phillip Island.”
The crew chief highlighted Razgatlioglu's aggressive entry speed, which sometimes surprises even the team.
“Toprak, on the other hand, does pure magic even in fast sections; he enters some corners so aggressively that even we get scared,” Giribuola added.
Giribuola described Razgatlioglu as more than just a late-braking specialist.
“So he is not only a late-braking master, but he is also brilliant in other areas, and I would say he has more potential in several aspects,” he said.
Another standout trait is Razgatlioglu's ability to quickly learn and match the pace of riders he follows.
“Another incredible trait of his is that whenever he follows someone, even if he has never done it before, he can instantly learn and match the pace of the rider ahead,” Giribuola explained.
“He has great observation and adaptation skills; he learns quickly,” the crew chief continued.
“Just having a reference point is enough for him to make a massive difference, whereas many other riders struggle to keep up with someone faster than themselves.”
Razgatlioglu is under a multi-year contract with Yamaha and will race for Pramac Yamaha again next season.
The championship's planned shift to Pirelli tires in 2027 is expected to benefit him due to his extensive experience with the brand in WorldSBK.
Yamaha's roster is set for further changes, with Moto2 contender Izan Guevara expected to join Razgatlioglu at Pramac, while Jorge Martin and Ai Ogura replace Fabio Quartararo and Alex Rins at the factory team.
Off the track, Razgatlioglu recently paid tribute to his late father, Arif Razgatlioglu, who died in a traffic accident in 2017, by sharing photos of the motorcycle he inherited from him.
“My childhood was spent with this motorcycle. It holds very valuable and unforgettable memories.
It will always be kept as a keepsake in memory of my father,” Razgatlioglu said.
