Toprak Razgatlioglu is continuing his apprenticeship aboard the Yamaha M1. After yesterday's forced break, the Turkish rider returned to the track today, finishing 18th, less than two seconds behind Alex Marquez's Ducati.
The Turkish rider analyzed his work and the limits he still cannot overcome in MotoGP with great clarity. The road ahead is long, and his mind is already on Buriram, where he will return to the track in just over two weeks.
At the moment, rather than the stopwatch, the priority is to understand MotoGP and tailor the Yamaha to his needs.
After four and a half days of testing, how do you feel?
"I've learned something, but not a lot," he began. "I'm trying to change my riding style, and I can't deny that I was angry this morning because I didn't get the time I was hoping for. With the setup and the new tyres, we found a good base in the afternoon, and I feel a bit better. The thing I want to emphasize is that we didn't touch the suspension in terms of setup. In Buriram, we will evaluate new parts, since we need a different setup in terms of grip and cornering speed."
You mentioned the tyres...
"With the new tyres, I followed Miller to understand the behaviour in the corners. He is very strong in the long corners. In braking, on the other hand, it goes pretty well: I'm strong, I can brake well and stop the bike. The problem is that in the long corners, I still struggle to understand how to tackle them, since I can't carry speed. I also need to be able to make better use of the brake; I need more time."
What do you expect from the Buriram tests?
"I think we'll try another setup, because we haven't touched the suspension much here. We'll just try some new parts and focus mainly on riding. At the moment, it seems we need a different setup; I need more speed in corners and on entry."
Did you think you would be in a better position after these tests?
"I was hoping to do 1'57", 1'57"7 or 1'57"6, but it was very difficult. My motivation also dropped when I saw that the time wasn't coming. At the beginning of the day, I found some rhythm, but I used two new tyres. I did 1:58.3. If I had seen a 1:57, it would have been good for me, but I need time to understand."
What is the most complicated aspect of these tyres?
"When I ride with new tyres, it's very difficult to understand the right moment to open the throttle. In Superbike, I always use the rear, both when entering corners and accelerating, while in MotoGP it's the opposite. I have to ride more like in Moto2, using very gentle throttle opening, because the Michelins are very sensitive. As I said, I'm trying to adapt, but after Superbike it's not easy. The team always tells me to ride more smoothly, but that's easier said than done."
You still haven't managed to find the MotoGP style you need?
"Exactly! I ride in Superbike style. I'm comfortable with the rear, but the problem is that I struggle in fast corners and on straights, so my natural style doesn't come into play."
Are you worried, or do you think it's just a matter of time?
"It's not easy for me to see myself at the bottom, especially after the results I achieved in Superbike. But I'm trying to learn as quickly as possible. I hope to improve, I don't know how yet, but I try to push every day."
When you say that the rear tyre is sensitive, what do you mean?
"I mean that it's very different from Pirelli. With Pirelli, when you feel the push, it becomes easier to manage. With Michelin, on the other hand, when it starts to push, it doesn't stop. It's difficult to understand. The other riders already know it, so it's easier for them, but for me it's complicated because I lack experience."
What is the biggest difference compared to Superbike: the bike or the tyres?
"Everything. I'd say 50-50. I also enjoy braking, but speed is difficult. This morning I saw Alex Márquez: his bike turns incredibly well and has great acceleration, making the most of the grip. It's difficult for me to replicate that style, especially for the first 4-5 races. Obviously, I'd like to ride like him too, but the bike doesn't stop as I'd like it to and we lose something. It's also a question of set-up, not just riding style. So we have to find a solution for the race."
Do you think it's complicated to tackle more races in this situation?
"Yes, because I still need to understand the tyres better, especially in race simulations. I still don't know what their potential is after 12 laps. In Thailand, I might try a race simulation."
You also tried the rear wings...
"I tried them two days ago and I'll try them again in Buriram. The feeling is good because they allow you to understand the behavior of the bike. With the low seat, I feel more comfortable, especially in corners, and I understand the bike. When I'm in the high position, it's different. At the moment, my Yamaha is a 'touring bike'. I'll have to compare the high handlebars again to find the feel I need."
How do you feel physically after five days of testing?
"The first few days were tough. In my first three days of testing, I couldn't relax on the bike. In Superbike, it's easy to do a lot of laps, but here it's different, especially in the heat. I always feel the limit, I can't relax, and it's difficult. I'm tired."
What would you say to Nicolò Bulega if he wanted to come to MotoGP?
"I think if he came here, he could ride much better than me because he has a precise riding style and is very strong in wide corners. The fact is that Superbike riding includes these aspects: you stop the bike, take a V-shaped trajectory, and accelerate. That works there, but in MotoGP you have to completely change your style. Even Johnny Rea did the same when he came here."
Are the difficulties greater than you expected?
"No, I expected these difficulties."