Toprak Razgatlioglu's Sepang MotoGP Test: A Glum Outlook
Toprak Razgatlioglu, the three-time World Superbike champion, had a challenging start to his MotoGP career during the Sepang test. Despite his experience, he admitted to struggling with the transition to MotoGP machinery, particularly in the first five races. The Turkish rider's main focus has been adapting his riding style, but this has proven difficult, with his motivation dipping as a result.
The test began with engine issues causing Yamaha to bench its riders on Wednesday for safety reasons. However, they resumed testing on Thursday with a more cautious approach. Razgatlioglu ended the test in 19th place, with a time of 1m58.326s, compared to the pacesetter Alex Marquez's 1m56.402s. This performance highlighted the challenges he faces in adapting to the new machinery.
During the test, Razgatlioglu spent much of the time riding without the rear wings on his Yamaha, as the seat unit he was using would exceed height limits with them attached. He noted that he is improving under braking but is struggling to understand how the tyres wear. Additionally, he mentioned that riding the bike requires a different approach, similar to Moto2, which is easier said than done.
Despite the challenges, Razgatlioglu remains focused on improving. He plans to change the suspension set-up to better assist with turning, as he currently struggles with the bike's handling. The test results and his comments indicate that the transition to MotoGP is more difficult than expected, and it will take time for him to adapt and perform at a competitive level.
