WorldSBK: Toprak Razgatlioglu to test Yamaha MotoGP bike

Toprak Razgatlioglu will test Yamaha’s MotoGP bike at the Jerez circuit.

Toprak Razgatlioglu will join Yamaha’s MotoGP Test Rider, Cal Crutchlow for a two-day test at the Jerez circuit. Razgatlioglu will get the opportunity to test the Yamaha M1 on Monday the 10^th and Tuesday the 11^th of April. 

This test will be Toprak Razgatlioglu’s second opportunity to test their MotoGP after a test last June. The test was held at the Aragon circuit but was cut short due to bad weather conditions.

Toprak Razgatlioglu is currently sitting in second in the WorldSBK Championship standings, after two rounds. The 26-year-old has picked up five podium finishes so far this season, including one race win.

Jonathan Rea has made the set to MotoGP, standing in for an injured Casey Stoner in 2012 for Repsol Honda. Rea finished inside the top 10 in both his MotoGP races, finishing seventh and eighth. Garrett Gerloff has also raced in MotoGP, replacing the injured Franco Morbidelli in 2021, he would finish in 17^th position.

Toprak Razgatlioglu has previously won against the six-time WorldSBK Championship after winning the 2021 title. Razgatlioglu took 29 podiums in his Championship winning season, including 13 race wins.

Razgatlioglu said: “I am looking forward to testing the YZR-M1 MotoGP bike at Jerez, a track I like a lot. The last test in Aragon was limited by the weather, but in Jerez it looks like we’ll have better conditions and more track time. It will give me the chance to understand better the demands of racing a Factory MotoGP bike. Thanks to Yamaha for giving me this opportunity.”

Lin Jarvis added: “Firstly, let me say it is our pleasure to be able to give Toprak another opportunity to ride the YZR-M1. 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.”

Image credit: Yamaha Racing