MotoGP: Toprak Razgatliolgu to test Yamaha MotoGP bike at Jerez

2021 World Superbike Champion Toprak Razgatlioglu will ride Yamaha’s MotoGP bike at a two-day private test at Jerez this week.

The development test takes place on April 10-11, and will see the Turkish rider join Yamaha’s MotoGP Test Rider, Cal Crutchlow.

It’s Razgatlioglu’s second opportunity to test the M1, however his first outing at Motorland Aragon in June last year was cut short due to poor weather conditions.

Razgatliolglu continues to be linked with a potential switch from WSB to MotoGP after missing out on an opportunity to make the move this season. Despite poor form, factory rider Franco Morbidelli had a contract in place for 2023, whilst Yamaha lost its satellite team when RNF Racing switched to Aprilia.

“Firstly, let me say it is our pleasure to be able to give Toprak another opportunity to ride the YZR-M1,” Yamaha Motor Racing Managing Director, Lin Jarvis said. “I was unable to be present at his previous test but this time I will be in Jerez to follow the testing and I will depart straight from there to attend the Grand Prix of the Americas in Austin next weekend.

“Toprak is an extraordinarily talented motorcycle racer, and I am very curious to see his speed on our Factory MotoGP machine. He will have the chance to ride alongside Cal who will be there for the ongoing development testing of our 2023 YZR-M1.”

The 26-year-old is the only rider other than Alvaro Bautista to have won a race so far this season. The latter continues to dominate the championship onboard his powerful Ducati V4 R, winning five of the opening six races.

Razgatlioglu’s current WSB contract with Yamaha expires at the end of the 2023 season.

“I would like to thank both Yamaha Motor Company and Yamaha Motor Racing for giving Toprak the opportunity to test the YZR-M1 once again,” Yamaha Motor Europe Road Racing Manager, Andrea Dosoli said. “As the reigning Superbike World Champion, Toprak’s test aboard the Yamaha YZR-M1 last year was highly anticipated by many in both the MotoGP and WorldSBK paddocks. Unfortunately, it was difficult for him to fully familiarise with the YZR-M1 at the Aragon test due to the disruption caused by the weather.

“This time around at Jerez, a track at which Toprak has traditionally been very strong, it looks like we’re going to enjoy almost perfect testing conditions. Toprak’s focus at this test will, once again, be on getting a feel for the characteristics of the YZR-M1 and the Michelin tyres, whereas we are very interested to see how quickly a WorldSBK rider of his calibre can adapt to the unique demands of riding a MotoGP bike.”