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Yamaha MotoGP boss sees Toprak Razgatlioglu signing as ‘closing of a circle’
Yamaha MotoGP boss Paolo Pavesio views the signing of Toprak Razgatlioglu for the 2026 season as a pivotal moment for both the brand and the rider, marking a significant milestone.
Razgatlioglu, a three-time World Superbike champion, signed a multi-season deal with Pramac for 2026, after previously being linked to a Yamaha MotoGP move in 2023.
Yamaha’s lack of a satellite team and the need for more experience were reasons why the MotoGP transition for Razgatlioglu did not happen earlier.
The timing of his move to MotoGP aligns well with the switch to Pirelli tyres in 2027, a rubber he is familiar with from his World Superbike days.
Paolo Pavesio emphasized Razgatlioglu’s sporting maturity and ability to handle pressure, believing that this transition was the right step for both the rider and Yamaha.
The signing of Razgatlioglu is seen as a career-defining moment for the new Yamaha boss, Paolo Pavesio, who succeeded Lin Jarvis in overseeing Yamaha’s MotoGP operations.
