Toprak Razgatlioglu, a three-time World Superbike champion, has drawn comparisons to two-time MotoGP champion Casey Stoner ahead of his move to the premier MotoGP class with Pramac. The talented Turkish rider is set to make his MotoGP debut in 2026 with the Pramac Yamaha team after signing a contract last summer.
Razgatlioglu will enter MotoGP fresh off his third World Superbike title, bringing valuable experience that is expected to help Yamaha gain insights into the new Pirelli tires for the 2027 season. He showed promise during his public test debut in Valencia last November, although expectations for his rookie season remain cautious.
Alberto Bergani, manager of Danilo Petrucci, praised Toprak’s exceptional talent, echoing Marco Melandri’s remarks about his natural ability. Bergani even likened Razgatlioglu to Casey Stoner, dubbing him “Stoner 2,” highlighting the similarity in their focused approach to racing and bike management.
Bergani recalled how Stoner once emphasized the importance of concentrating solely on one’s own bike to maximize performance, a philosophy Toprak seems to share. After struggling with his BMW chassis earlier in the year, Razgatlioglu found success by stopping complaints and focusing on what he could control on the bike, much like Stoner’s mindset.
Razgatlioglu will partner with Jack Miller at Pramac next season and will make his official team debut at Pramac’s 2026 season launch event in Italy on January 13th.
Fan Take: Racing fans should be excited about Razgatlioglu’s entry into MotoGP, as his proven talent and mental approach could shake up the competition. If he lives up to the “Stoner 2” comparison, it could mark the beginning of a thrilling new chapter in premier-class racing.
