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Toprak Razgatlioglu reveals his initial thoughts on adapting to Michelin tyres in MotoGP after racing with Pirelli in WorldSBK.
Toprak Razgatlioglu shared his initial impressions on adapting to Michelin tires in MotoGP after competing with Pirelli in WorldSBK.
The three-time WorldSBK champion participated in a three-day Shakedown at the Sepang circuit, setting his first lap times before the opening test on February 3-5.
Transitioning to Michelin tires in 2026 poses a significant challenge for Razgatlioglu, who had raced on Pirelli-equipped bikes in production series before moving to prototypes.
He noted differences between Michelin and Pirelli tires, particularly affecting his braking and acceleration strategies due to the unique characteristics of the tires.
Despite the transition, Razgatlioglu emphasized the importance of mastering the bike and exploring new tracks over focusing solely on tire adaptation and aims to showcase his potential in MotoGP.
Yamaha has tailored a bike to suit Razgatlioglu’s larger build and preferred style, with the rider finishing 10th on Day 3 of the Sepang Shakedown, ahead of his teammate Jack Miller.
Razgatlioglu is focused on learning the intricacies of the MotoGP bike this year, acknowledging the differences in riding style required between WorldSBK and MotoGP, highlighting promising progress with the support of Yamaha.
