Jorge Lorenzo finds Toprak Razgatlioglu’s upcoming move to MotoGP thrilling, though he believes the World Superbike (WorldSBK) Championship that Razgatlioglu dominated has a varied level of competition, as demonstrated by another rider’s performance. Razgatlioglu has achieved 38 wins over the past two WorldSBK seasons and holds the second spot on the all-time winners list with 78 victories. Entering MotoGP in 2026 as a three-time World Champion, he becomes the third in WorldSBK history to win titles with two different brands—BMW and Yamaha—joining James Toseland and Troy Corser.
Razgatlioglu’s recent success with BMW follows Alvaro Bautista’s dominant two-year run with Ducati, where Bautista claimed 43 wins in 2022 and 2023. Bautista’s impressive WorldSBK record contrasts sharply with his MotoGP career, where despite nearly a decade in the premier class, he never won a race and only scored from pole positions.
During the Valencia test on November 18, Lorenzo commented, “Toprak in MotoGP is exciting, it’s exciting. We’re all watching to see how he adapts in his first year.” However, Lorenzo noted the lower overall rider level in Superbikes and highlighted that while Bautista excelled there, he was not a top contender in MotoGP, often finishing between fifth and ninth place. He also mentioned notable Superbike riders like Brega, Ben Spies, and Colin Edwards, but emphasized that MotoGP is on a different level.
Lorenzo praised Razgatlioglu’s riding skills, especially his exceptional front brake technique, but expressed doubts about how quickly he would adapt to MotoGP machinery, particularly Yamaha’s stiff bike and tires. He speculated that Razgatlioglu’s first year might not showcase his full potential, but by 2027, with more experience and possibly better tires, he could challenge for top-five finishes or podium places.
Fan Take: For racing fans, Razgatlioglu’s transition to MotoGP represents an exciting new chapter, highlighting the crossover potential between WorldSBK and MotoGP talent. His journey could inspire greater competition and fresh dynamics in MotoGP, making the sport even more thrilling to watch.
