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One of the hottest topics on this cold Thursday at Assen is that Toprak Razgatlioglu – who just ended two days of testing in Jerez on the Yamaha M1 – might be moving to the MotoGP. And his two great rivals, Alvaro Bautista and Jonathan Rea, were interviewed by the WorldSBK.com website precisely on the possibility that the 2021 World Champion could be leaving the World Superbike, in order to crown his dream of competing in the premier class of the World Championship.
Bautista: “Toprak needs to figure out if he can also be fast in the MotoGP”
With nine seasons in the MotoGP behind him, Ducati’s rider from Spain knows the Top Class and the World Championship environment very well. Just like the challenges that Razgatlioglu would face if he decided to move into another championship category.
“Toprak definitely wants to go to the MotoGP or, at least, that’s what I heard. But it’s about different championships, different bikes, and different tires. I know he’s testing with Yamaha, and he needs to figure out if he has the potential to go there and do well. He’s one of the big names here. He’s a very important rider in the Superbike. He has to choose, but it’s not an easy situation,” Bautista admitted. “I know many riders who’d like to try the MotoGP at least once in their lives, but it’s not easy. Especially now that there’s almost no gap between the first and the last in the championship. It’s his decision, but it’s not an easy one to make now, because he’s in a good position. He needs to know if he can be quick there too.”
Rea: “He could do well in the right conditions, but it would be a big loss”
An inconvenient position, which Jonathan Rea knows quite well. Despite never having had a chance of landing in the MotoGP, Kawasaki’s Cannibal was tempted in 2012, after being called to replace Casey Stoner in Honda for the Aragon and Misano races.
“It’s a difficult situation to be in. All I know is that Toprak has an incredible talent and, with the right opportunity to land in the MotoGP and having around him the right people who believe in him, he could do a good job,” the six-time Superbike champion said. “But a rider can only do the best with the opportunities he has available. I’d say that there’s no answer as to whether he should do one thing or the other, but what is certain is that he has a great team here and is greatly respected. And if Toprak were to go to the MotoGP, it would be a big loss for the Superbike.”
